The twists and turns of GarGraves track . GarGraves flex track has been around since 1940 , the combined efforts of Eldyn Graves and Earle Gardner of Rochester,NY ...the company continues today owned by the Tom and Mike Roder who's father purchased the company in 1963 .
The GarGraves flex track has a unique formed hollow rail section with webbing in-bedded in wood ties. The rail is light weight and can be curved ( flexed) into infinite radius .
GarGraves flex track is available in OO, S ,O, 1 and Standard gauges . Straight sticks of track at 37" in length .
I wanted a 96" circle of standard gauge track for my outer loop ...GarGraves with wood ties allows 2 rail operation ..the profile of the flex track is a bit more square on the top surface ,better for use with scale profile wheels.
It has been said that there are some train wheels with deep flanges that will " ride the ties" ....I have yet to find a wheel that has issues ...but just beginning with the fun now.
The flex rail is sold straight...so to make curve sections I found the use of the marble top on the 5' kitchen table just about perfect for convincing the track to curve .
Patience is a virtue when working the track as it is very happy to remain straight till you get all the rails sliding within the ties to keep a curved form. Slowly over bending and bouncing back will in time force the rails to adapt the new shape ...also angling the ties slightly so they are wider spaced in the outside of the curve and narrower on the inside .
Once you have an approximate curved section ..test how it will fit on the layout ...much fine tuning will be done as you secure the track ...you'll need the cut the center and inner rails to match the outer rail length ...I used a dremel tool with a cut off blade ...clean ends with file.
Pre-drill ties for #6 or smaller wood screws to attach to table .
Joints are the hardest to keep,a consist radius through ..,......patience patience ..and close enough standards helps .
So the big test ...grab the biggest baddest engine ...thr old rail straightener the Hendrich Berkshire ....all flanged drivers .
Not super happy about the 96" diameter ...but she does it!
Berkshire brilliantly built by Bob Hendrich using a Randall Hudson cast boiler .
So with confidence in the gargraves track now to complete the rest of the loop.
