FlexTrack, Smextrack

As far as I know, all Atlas track has plastic ties, and they aren't very narrow. I think MTH Scaletrax is the one with narrow plastic ties. Only GarGraves and Ross have wooden ties. Atlas flex should bend pretty smoothly.

Why don't you post some pictures of what you bought?

I'm confused all around by the narrative. You said that you ordered GG Flextrack and it came with "narrow" plastic ties? Well, the GG Flextrack that I am laying right now has rather thick (non-scale actually) wooden ties, as it always has.

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

As far as I know, all Atlas track has plastic ties, and they aren't very narrow. I think MTH Scaletrax is the one with narrow plastic ties. Only GarGraves and Ross have wooden ties. Atlas flex should bend pretty smoothly.

Why don't you post some pictures of what you bought?

MTH Scaletrax has "thin" (as in height) ties, but no more narrow than Atlas (no hair-splitting allowed). These ties are nominally scale - Atlas and MTH.

Yes - photos are a good idea.

BILL HUDSON posted:

 Then I went directly to the Atlas online catalog and ordered 1 section of what was described as Flextrack with wooden ties.  What arrived was the exact same plastic track I got from the eBay source. 

Probably that's the way it is in Atlas's inventory system as the standard for a product description to describe the type of tie material being simulated.  Atlas also offers HO track with "concrete ties" made of plastic.

Atlas has never offered track with real wood ties in any scale.  The only different tie material Atlas (pre-Snap Track days) used was a fiber material that was closer to cardboard during the 50's and 60's.

Rusty

Atlas's flex track section on their website picture is somewhat deceptive, as it says "Custom Flex Track - Wood Ties".  But if you click on the picture, the individual item description that pops up clarifies it somewhat, as it then says "with simulated wood ties".

On the GarGraves website, I don't see any flex track with plastic ties.  But I do see rigid track with plastic ties, available in 37" long lengths amongst others.  Flex track with wood ties is also sold in 37" long lengths.

Either you ordered the wrong product, or else the dealer accidentally sent you the wrong item.  You may want to check it out and see what happened.

Atlas Flex track is rigid.  Maybe O-108 is manageable with Atlas flex.     The one piece I installed on my layout.  Lower left center in picture. 

There were end pieces. to cut and build custom sections. 

Cutting and fitting partial curve sections as needed, pictured.   

Atlas flex will not bend - the guy with great bending tool passed away after announcing it at York (2014 , maybe, Norm's Train Supply or something) and no one picked it up. 

GG wooden flex tinplated rail will bend. Stainless will not. GG #101

I believe the rail on MTH ScaleTrax will bend, but, I have no confirmation from anyone. The railhead is low. 

You are correct - Schmextrack mostly

There are some good threads on some bending techniques if you search the forum. 

Gargraves makes, or at least made, both plastic and wood tie flex. I have a mix of both. Standard Phantom flex is wood tie, SS flex is plastic. I kinds like the SS flex......I bought it for a outdoor layout that never got built. Bends very nice and easy. Both work well for me. 

Carl, I’ve bent ScaleTrax to around O-42 when I was testing a piece. It wasn’t for an installation though and there was a lot of tension on the ends. I didn’t tack it down or try to attach another section, I just wanted to see how far it would bend. It is nowhere near as flexible as HO flex, but I think it’s the most flexible of the O Scale tracks, probably because of it’s lower profile and thinner rails.

Atlas flex track does bend, just not easily. First make sure you have the 40” flex track #6056, not the 40” rigid track #6058.  They look the same except the flex track has a lot more screw holes. The product number is printed on the underside of some of the ties.

The technique is to attach one end of the flex-track, secure the end with screws. The start the bend and add more screws as you go. The outer rail will slide out of the rail joiner as you bend, so you need to slide it back into place. I took a 3 1/2 x 3 1/2” block of wood and cut 3 slots in it to fit the rails. It makes it easier to grab and bend the rail. I wouldn’t try to bend smaller than O-72. 

Bob

Bob, thanks for some very helpful info.  Yes, the product number listed is 6056.  About 80% of my layout is O72.  All I have left from earlier track build are short scrap pieces of GG Flextrack (and yes, wood ties).  A few posters here suggested I post a few pics of the tracks in question, so will do so soon.  I have checked and rechecked my track orders and did not make an order error.

Regards, Bill