Model Railway Forum

Hi All,

My layout is going to be a fixed setup and was wondering, when you lay track that goes across boards would you cut the track on the join or just leave it. The reason I ask is that some parts of my layout will be behind scenery and difficult, though not impossible, to access so any derailment would be a problem. By the way, I pin my track down

Best Rgds,
Dave R.

The only reason to split track on a board joint is to facilitate disassembly of an exhibition layout or on a fixed layout if you are having a removable section. Other than that I think you will end up creating problems where there are none. If you are worried that where your layout is housed might involve considerable temperature differences then correctly gapping rail joiners should cater for that.

Richard

You should always have access to all track. A) For rail cleaning and B) For recovering derailed stock.. Its an unwritten law that if access is not available a train will always derail in that section!! How you gain access is up to the layout builder. Removable sections of scenery, lift up scenery section or a hinged back scene area that drops forward to gain access etc. But if you don't provide it then.....

If the baseboards are fixed and never to be removed then no joints in the track are made at baseboards joints. Just lay track across the two abutting boards. Its only portable layouts that have the track fixed and then cut at the edge of the abutting boards.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your responses, much appreciated. The reason I asked was that I recently had a point motor that decided not to work and crawling around under the boards was a pain and took some time to replace.

I did intend to have removeable sections of scenery to access these awkward areas, just in case of a derailment.

Best Rgds
Dave R.