Need some help. What do you use to fill gaps between rails?
I have an outside rail (Gargraves) that does not completely mate up-to the adjacent rail. These rails are insulated from each other for block control and I have used the plastic insulated pin but still a gap. The gap is less than 1/4". Somewhere I read of using a glue gun to drop in some glue and then trim. With such a large gap I am worried that eventually the rubber tires and even the metal wheels will wear prematurely.
Thanks
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Tony, I usually sneak the rail up on several sections by gripping the rail with pliers and lightly banging it toward the gap. You can spread the gap out amongst several sections. If you are using a 37" straight simply cut it into 3-4 pieces and re-lay those pieces. The connecting pin will take up 1/4" over those pieces.
I've used epoxy putty - can be shaped during application and filed flush. Stronger than hot glue would be.
Thanks guys for the quick reply. Looks like I will need to use the epoxy putty solution as most of the track is in a tunnel. The gap is at the tunnel entrance which is reachable. Murphy's law wins again!!!!
Thanks
JB Weld is a epoxy that would work well.
Instead of using the plastic pins, cut the rail to create the gap and then fill with styrene. Glue it in with some CA and then file it to match the rail.
I haven't tried this on Gargraves, but for Atlas track I pull the rail out of the ties and put a longer one in that closes the gap.
Great idea John. I'll have to do that with one small gap I have!
--Greg
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