Hi, I gave up recently on our original postwar 027 track as it just would not work right due to its condition. I purchased brand new 027 track on ebay which came with 3 pins already installed. When I went to put the track together (so far just the curves have arrived) it is very hard to get the rails to connect with out a space between them. Is this normal or does anyone have some suggestions to help make it fit without me bending anymore track?
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You will have to work it back and forth a bit to get it solidly joined, it's like any other virgin. 
I've seen track tools that pull them together mentioned, never saw one in the flesh.
Another trick is to insert just 1 pin into a hole, twisting to enlarge. Then the next, and so forth.
Myself, I don't worry about a small gap. The trains are so forgiving.
I will try that, I am having such a hardtime with this and didn't expect to slice my fingers to shreads from the track ties.
Thats new track for you. If you flip the track over and wiggle a small flathead screwdriver in the seam of the track on the non-pin side you'll loosen it up enough to not have to really jam it together.
Work gloves also come in handy. I still have a boatload of tubular track (switches, operating and uncoupling too) and I haven't missed cutting my hands since I switched to the FasTrack.
Thanks, TrainsRMe that worked.
I'm so glad that worked for you! I love passing on tips that have helped me.
RE: "
Thats new track for you. If you flip the track over and wiggle a small flathead screwdriver in the seam of the track on the non-pin side you'll loosen it up enough to not have to really jam it together"
I don't think that's his problem. It's not getting the pins OUT it's trying to get the pins inserted into another piece of track to join them.
TrainsRMe gave you what is probably the only easy, practical (free ) solution. It's what I do. ALL new O27 track has the problem that you described - I can NEVER insert another piece of track that already has pins in it into a new piece. I have to "prime" the female holes by doing what TrainsRMe suggested. Tap it in, pull it out, ready to accept the new piece of track.
A pain, but you do get a solid connection and the pins will fit ALL of the way in for a "no gap" connection.
- walt
RE: "
Thats new track for you. If you flip the track over and wiggle a small flathead screwdriver in the seam of the track on the non-pin side you'll loosen it up enough to not have to really jam it together"
I don't think that's his problem. It's not getting the pins OUT it's trying to get the pins inserted into another piece of track to join them.
I understand that he's not trying to get the pins out, which is why I said to do it to the non-pin end. It does the same thing as banging in a track pin, without the extra step of prying out the pin after you jam it in.
Just tap the non-pin end of each of the three rails of each section into the next as you go along. Use a small hammer or lineman's pliers. This will provide a much better joint than other methods that loosen up the rails/webbing. A small block of wood can be used to tap all three rails at once if you desire.
Thanks very much for the advice guys, I am going to see if I can get some lineman's pilers. It's the curves I am having the biggest issue with.
My apologies Boilermaker1. I realized after I signed off that I completely misread your helpful suggestion. Sorry about not reading it carefully enough.
- walt
Just tap the non-pin end of each of the three rails of each section into the next as you go along. Use a small hammer or lineman's pliers. This will provide a much better joint than other methods that loosen up the rails/webbing. A small block of wood can be used to tap all three rails at once if you desire.
I do that too - I forgot to mention that. It works really well with straight pieces.
- walt
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