Hello Folks,
I need some advice please regarding flexible track. I currently have my entire layout in Lionel tubular track, 031 and larger. But, in trying to connect a couple of odd shaped inner loops with the outside main oval shaped track (by adding and connecting turn-outs), I keep running into instances where the new straight runs of track ( which would connect the new inner track turnout with the new outer track turnout) miss being lined up to connect to the turnouts, by about one inch. In other words, if I connect straight track coming off one of the turnouts, to run to and connect to the other turnout, the outside rail of the straight track does not line up with the corresponding outside rail of the turnout. Instead, it lines up with the center rail of the turnout.
Sometimes, the line-up is even worse. The outside rail of the straight section wants to line up with the opposite outside rail of the turn out I am trying to connect it to.
Because my loops that I am trying to join have mixed curves sections of 0-31 and 0-72 (36 inch radius), I can't just adjust the "line-up" of the new straight section by inserting short sections in a couple places in the middle of these loops.
The straight section runs I am trying to add are fairly short. Between 18 inches and 12 inches long.
I have never used flexible track before, but I think that using flexible track for the new connecting straight sections may be what I need to do.
I please need advice as to:
1. Whether you think flexible track will allow me to shift the center point of the new straight run, up or down, by about one inch over a 12 inch run, or two inches over an 18 inch run.
2. What is the best and most User Friendly flexible track to use, hopefully one that will hook right up with Lionel tubular.
3. Depending on the brand of flex track, are special connecting pins required? And do they give problems when you hook them up to the ends of Lionel 022 turnouts?
(The rails in 022 turnouts have also been troublesome for me, because since they are half embedded into the plastic base, you can't really crimp the rail ends to the pins very well at all, and those rails ends in the turnouts are just a bit taller than any regular 031 track section I try to connect. This results in rough spots at connections, with some underside coupler thumbtacks or discs actually catching on the higher center rail of the turn out as the car or engine passes over. The only solution I can find is to take a flat metal punch and hammer down the top of the center rail onto the connecting pin to make it flatter. :-( 
Thanks for all advice.
Mannyrock
