Spiral defined: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Track_transition_curve
Staggering rail joints also smoothes out track by inhibiting kinks at sectional track joints. If at least six inches of rail overlaps the joint of the other rail in track, the solid rail will help keep the rail with a joint from kinking on either horizontal or vertical planes. If you lay rail in ties and stagger the joints using rail clamps, then use a dual rail or track bender that bends both rails at the same time, then you can gradually tighten the rail bender to create a flat curve (as opposed to a spiral) that begins at a shallow curve and tighten the curve radius until you reach the minimum radius you allow on your layout or for that section of track. As your bender passes the tightest area of the curve, gradually loosen the setting until your curve is straight. Sectional track forces the train to immediately enter the curve which places lots of force on track and cargo/passengers. Gary - AKA Terror Trestle Guy http://www.angelfire.com/or/trainguy/ web page http://community.webshots.com/user/raltzenthor Photos http://www.youtube.com/user/scudding Trestle and train crash _______________________________________________ SSLiveSteam mailing list Send messages: [email protected] Cancel subscription: http://postfix.45mm.com/mailman/listinfo/sslivesteam Rules: http://www.45mm.com/sslivesteam_guide.html
