S-Helper Service Custom Track Lengths

This article was copied from the Web Archive web site, which had captured this article's text and photos in March 2003 from the S-Helper Service's web site. It has been reproduced here, because it is still useful, and it is much easier to find here than on the Web Archive site.

You may need to make a special length of track. This is one method of fabricating a shorter track section by removing ties and making a splice in the middle of the roadbed. Rails can be removed by grasping the rail web at the non-rail joiner end with the needle nosed pliers and pulling out in one motion while securely holding the roadbed. Repeat with the opposite rail. Once the rail is removed, the tie bed can be removed from the roadbed. File or grind off the notches located on the bottom of both rails. This will allow easier installation of the rail.

Determine the optimum place to make first cut keeping in mind the spacing of the center triangular roadbed supports. Remember to keep the rectangular openings for the ties need to be either the same width or slightly larger to allow the ties at the splice to be seated properly.

Using a sharp fine tooth saw (Zona saw or fine hacksaw blade) make the first cut using the tie opening as a guide to keep cut square on bevel of roadbed.

The second cut will remove the excess roadbed. Trim away roadbed cutting next to tie opening leaving width of the opening intact.

In a well ventilated area, placing both halves of the roadbed to be joined on a flat surface. Using an ABS solvent type cement (Plastruct glue), join roadbed sections. Check that edges are square. Small bar clamps can aid in keeping the sections tightly together while the solvent welds the ABS. Leave the clamps on until odor from solvent cannot be detected.

Once the cement has cured, turned joined roadbed section over (upside down) and determine optimum length to trim tie bed. Be sure that tie bed web does not interfere with supports of reinforcements on the bevel of the roadbed. The optimum length of the tie bed may need to be trimmed from the center or two sectioned may be needed.

Insert the trimmed tie bed into the roadbed, turnover and while holding the tie bed in place, insert the rail through the rail grabbers, spikes and lastly the metal rail joiner. Repeat with the other rail. When using your new length of track, remember that the rails may slide away from the roadbed when this section is removed. This will not be a problem when the track is used in a layout.