Cutting layout in half

I would put in a jumper track and keep the mounted track away from the edge of the board. That protects the ends of the mounted track and allows more wiggle/alignment tolerance when the two bases are assembled.

Can you explain jumper track a little more?

A Jumper track is a short piece of track to join the two parts.

If it is damaged it can easily be replaced.

Most modular clubs use them on the portable layouts.

Hi Ted, glad to see you are progressing. Here is a picture of what a jumper track looks like. This is an example of a FasTrack standard module. When you build this module you attach the track shown in the picture to the module (like you will in your plan), but in the case of FasTrack you leave it 2 1/2 inches from the edge, then as you connect two modules you connect them with a 5 inch track (since they are all 2 1/2 inches from the edge). You can plan your cut anywhere in your plan (you don't have to use a 5 inch) and just add the "jumper piece" when you connect your modules.

EDIT POST: Here is a better picture of an example of adding the 5 inch jumper across two modules.

Yup thats what I meant when I said (not so artfully) leave a section out then butt together. I'll plan the cut appropriate to use those pieces. Thanks gentlmen. TW

That seems like a good solution but I did precisely what you intend to do with a 4 x 7 foot layout.  I brought the track right up to the edges, at the seam, screwed the track without pins and simply wired each side independently, tying the wires together with a spade connector.  The two parts were joined on the underside with a piano hinge.  The track was never damaged in 15 years, the size was easy to manage and since it sat on the floor, there was never an issue with one side being higher than the other.  I just sold that layout off of craigslist to a guy who wanted something like that for his grandson.  

Necrails, how did you handle your accessory wiring?  Thats a good idea about using jumper wires to connect the two sides of the track. With the current plan I'll have four track breaks. Just spade connect them together, or use a couple of trailor wire conectors bringing them together. Thought I would buss the drops to the tracks although the with the layout size I might not need more than two for each of the two runs.  Am I missing something?  Ted

totrainyard posted:

A Jumper track is a short piece of track to join the two parts.

If it is damaged it can easily be replaced.

Most modular clubs use them on the portable layouts.

 

Most of the module guys I know also refer to these short sections as "bridge tracks", since they "bridge" the gap between the modules. They also serve the purpose of "splitting the difference" of any misalignment of the rails between the two modules. If you can relieve the molded-in ties enough to slide the railjoiner all the way onto the tracks at least on one end, it's an easy matter to join the modules, drop the bridge track in position, and then slide the railjoiners on to lock it in place.

Bill in FtL

I did not have any accessories that required power.  This was a trains and buildings only layout.  There were two track joints only but this simple approach worked well.  I have a HO  slot car 4 lane track that uses the same set up.  That was a bit trickier, the cars are not as forgiving as o scale trains.

I am new to this Forum so forgive me if this has been answered somewhere previously.

I am working on a 4 x 8 layout that I would like to split in half.  I am using Postwar O gauge galvanized track and will be using several operating accessories.  How do you use "bridge tracks" in this situation?  Are there "rail Joiners" as referred to above?  What type wiring connectors should I use at the joint?

Thanks for ideas.

Making some small progress. Testing track placement. Then pull up and start scenery. Will base coat foam with flat latex then lay track back in. How should i fix both track segments to board. Was thinking glue screws into foam for that. Any ideas that would be better?  Certainly open to suggestion. Am still thinking the cut in half will be with track jumpers in each fo the four segments. Make sense to you all?  Ted