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| Overhead view of a connector track between the Memorial Ave. and MOW modules. |
Over the last week I've spent a little bit of time finishing the trackwork on the Memorial Avenue and MOW layout sections. For the most part, the process was fairly straightforward but the interesting component of the trackwork in this area is in creating the connection between the modules.
Most modular railroad clubs use connector tracks - short pieces of track which are made to be removable that connect to the permanently affixed track on the module sections. The connector track offers some flexibility as it is difficult to build really tight tolerances among various builders over time. Having a connector track means that the rails don't have to be lined up perfectly on the module sections as the connector track takes care of the minor deviations between the modules.
Unlike a modular layout, this layout has the advantage in that it will always be setup in the same orientation every time. This style of portable layout could lend itself to simply having the track line up flush at the end of each layout section. While I've seen sectional layout builders pull this off, I'm kind of skeptical about how well this works in varying temperature and humidity environments. Plus, between the Memorial Ave. and MOW sections (pictured above), the connector track also crosses the Slide section. This would be complicated to build and align correctly if permenenatly mounted. Instead, the trackwork was designed for a connector track to simply bridge the three modules.
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| Close up of the styrene under the connector track and those wonderful rail anchors. |
To make the connector track, I lined up a half section of Atlas O 36" Radius sectional track over the joint between the three modules. This was temporarily tacked in place while the abutting track was installed. Styrene - .010" thick - was used as a shim under the connector track and the permanent track closest to the connector track. This keeps everything the same height and running smoothly. The styrene was glued to the bottom of the connector track and trimmed flush with the ties. This whole section will be ballasted later so that when it is installed, the joint between the module sections won't be too noticeable. At this point, I also labeled both the connector track as well as the roadbed so I knew which connector track went where on the layout.
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| The finished connector track ready for weathering and ballast. |
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| Label for the connector track. |
As of today, the track is now complete on two of the five modules. Most of the rest of the track has been test fit but I am still slowly distressing all of the wood ties and installing rail anchors. My best guess is that I've installed close to 350 so far...now back to work...
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| A close up of the track which has been distressed and had rail anchors added. |
