Gar Graves 5 rail track

I'm a big fan of this track and have recommended it here on the forum before. I have used the 5 rail track on my own (straight) trestle over the attic stairwell, and on the modular club bridge module.

 

The rigid sections of Gargraves have wood strips on the bottom running parallel to the rails. The flex sections do not. There are stiffeners on the 5 rail track. You "might" be able to snip the stiffeners tie-by-tie and flex it some. My concern is the clearance between the outer rails and the guard rails. You run the risk of pinching the wheel flange.

 

That said, I would be hesitant to bend even 3 rail flex track 90 degrees over 3 feet. If you have "got" to get it around a curve, you could try it. Worse case, you've trashed one piece of track.

 

Gilly

 

 

John and Gilly thanks for your replies. After posting this I sent an E mail to Gar Graves and they replied that the 5 rail could be bent to A 72 rad. This will work for me because I will need A 72 rad. and A 81 rad. for the two lines. Thank you gentlemen for your replies and happy railroading to you. Choo Choo Kenny

Yes the 5-rail Gargraves is bendable, but I do not know know how much it will bend. The picture below shows, 072, 080 & 094

 

 

John thank you for your reply and I am very sorry that I am asking wrong questions. The trestle that I scratch built is not 3and 1/2 feet long I just guessed at it's length. It is on the 81 rad. side 5 feet 8 and 7/8 of an inch long and on the 72 rad. side it is 4 feet 8 and 7/8 of an inch long. I guess I should quit bothering people with my problems and confusing them with wrong information. Best of luck to everyone and I wont ask any more questions or bother anyone with my problems. John I am sorry for giving you wrong information and confusing you and thanks for trying to help. Choo Choo Kenny

Rodger thank you for your reply. I E mailed Gar Graves and they told me that the 5 rail can be bent to A 72 rad. Thanks for trying to help. Choo Choo Kenny

The GarGraves 5 rail can be bent to 36" radius easily, even smaller if needed.

Rob thanks for the info but I my case I just need to bend my rad. to 72and 81 hopefully this can help someone else also. Thank you for the reply. Choo Choo Kenny

Are you talking radius or diameter? 72" radius would be O-144, a twelve foot circle.

Phone number for Gardner, "The Train Doctor"/Gargraves Track Manufacturer is 315-483-6577 , Fax 315-483-2425, web site www.gardnerthetraindoctor.com -  their address is 8967 Ridge Road , Alton, NY 14413. North of Route 104 and East of Route 14 , East of Sodus, NY.

Rob Thanks for your reply. When I am talking about A rad. I am measuring the diameter of A full circle 72 inches. My trestle is making A left hand turn 90 degrees. (If you look at A clock from noon until three is 90 degrees 1/4 of A turn) I am sorry if I am calling things the wrong name. When I cut the particle board for the trestle I measured from one corner out 36 inches and started making dots on the board. I would keep the tape measure at the 36 inch mark at the corner and move the other end about 1 inch away from the last dot and make another dot and so on until I made 1/4 of A circle. I then measured from the same corner out 40 and 1/2 of an inch (my double tracks are 4 and 1/2 inches apart) and put A dot move the tape measure about an inch away from the last dot and make another dot and so on until I made another 1/4 of A circle. I then connected the dots and cut the two rad. and that is how I made the trestle. After cutting I did A little  sanding and glued on some box beam that I got at Scene Express and sprayed everything flat black to match the Atlas O trestles. In between the two tracks I am going to put some walk boards to cover the chip board so you wont see it that way the trestle will hopefully look like it is made out of steel. Hopefully this clears up any confusion and I am sorry if I am not using the proper words. Choo Choo Kenny

Garry thanks for your reply. After posting the first question here I E- Mailed Gar Graves and they let me know that the 5 rail track can be bent to A 72 rad. witch is 6 feet. I now have the information I need so thank you for posting the information that you did. I will file it for safe keeping for any questions in the future. Choo Choo Kenny