Can anyone help with how to lay Atlas Flex track?
thank you MONK
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It can be done without using a rail bender provided you're bending larger than about 48" (O-96). The technique is the same as that used by Rich Battista in his Black Diamond 1 video.
The trick is to get the end of the curve stabilized.
- Anchor the two ties closest to the end of the straight.
- Start bending gently.
- Anchor the fifth tie from the straight when the track at that point is aligned with the curve center line.
- Bend some more toward the center line.
- Anchor the fifth tie from the last tie you just anchored.
- Repeat until you reach the end of the curve or the end of the track section. If you're reaching a joint, you'll need to cut the rails even and remove some ties (leave enough for the rail joiners). The end of the curve at a joint should have two ties anchored just like the start. Repeat the process with the next piece of flex.
This is going to take some practice, but you'll get it. The key is that the track has to be kept stable at joints. Even though Atlas track has holes every few ties, drill holes into the other ties for more stability.
And practice, practice, practice and patience! 
Originally Posted by AGHRMatt:
It can be done without using a rail bender provided you're bending larger than about 48" (O-96). The technique is the same as that used by Rich Battista in his Black Diamond 1 video.
The trick is to get the end of the curve stabilized.
- Anchor the two ties closest to the end of the straight.
- Start bending gently.
- Anchor the fifth tie from the straight when the track at that point is aligned with the curve center line.
- Bend some more toward the center line.
- Anchor the fifth tie from the last tie you just anchored.
- Repeat until you reach the end of the curve or the end of the track section. If you're reaching a joint, you'll need to cut the rails even and remove some ties (leave enough for the rail joiners). The end of the curve at a joint should have two ties anchored just like the start. Repeat the process with the next piece of flex.
This is going to take some practice, but you'll get it. The key is that the track has to be kept stable at joints. Even though Atlas track has holes every few ties, drill holes into the other ties for more stability.
