Need help mating RealTrax sections

Realtrax is a pain if you need to often connect and disconnect but basically you slightly tilt the 2 sections you are connecting downward and then you push them together and straighten them during the connection. When you disconnect you do the opposite. It's hard to explain so I would check out a youtube video. MTH has a quick video explaining it.

Brad

They do not go together or pull apart straight like lionel track. If you force them that way you will start breaking tabs off.

Thanks.  Never gave MTH a thought.  Will give your instructions a try first.

Regards

Here’s a video. At the 5:15 mark it shows you. https://youtu.be/dBGVQ40VK4w

Brooklyn Corey, Thanks for posting that link for Bill. I have never figured out how to do that on my phone.

Brad

I still have not managed to put two sections together, even after watching MTH how to do it on video.  I did notice that the video presentation was of mating tube rail sections,  not solid rail.

I have several RealTrax tube sections I ordered by mistake.  Can't get them to connect,  either.   Have nearly an hour effort over several attempt sessions.   Even tried different sections to rule out defects.   Watched MTH video several times- looks so easy.  Also, I have looked to no avail to see what is preventing hookup.   It's become obvious I won't have a Christmas layout this year.

If anyone here is new to RealTrax and has had no problem with connections I would like to hear about it.

Bill

@BILL HUDSON posted:

I have several RealTrax tube sections I ordered by mistake.  Can't get them to connect,  either.   Have nearly an hour effort over several attempt sessions.   Even tried different sections to rule out defects.   Watched MTH video several times- looks so easy.  Also, I have looked to no avail to see what is preventing hookup.   It's become obvious I won't have a Christmas layout this year.

If anyone here is new to RealTrax and has had no problem with connections I would like to hear about it.

Bill

Did you look at the YOUTUBE link I posted above?

@BILL HUDSON posted:

I have several RealTrax tube sections I ordered by mistake.  Can't get them to connect,  either.   Have nearly an hour effort over several attempt sessions.   Even tried different sections to rule out defects.   Watched MTH video several times- looks so easy.  Also, I have looked to no avail to see what is preventing hookup.   It's become obvious I won't have a Christmas layout this year.

If anyone here is new to RealTrax and has had no problem with connections I would like to hear about it.

Bill

I'm not new to Realtrax Bill but I remember being confused about joining the sections .........until I observed the two little plastic extensions that slide under and cradle  the opposite metal rail...................

I hold two pieces about a  30 degree V  and watch to make sure the  plastic extension on each track slides under the metal rail on the opposite track.   Then fold the two sections down and snap together.     Solid.

( those pesky little rail cradling pieces of plastic have fooled a lot of people. )

Thanks Dallas.  I am aware of those plastic sections that slide under the rails.  The MTH video looked so easy.  Have not been able to see what is the   restriction preventing the plastic sections from seating.

Bill

Brooklyn,

Thanks.  Yes I did watch the video, but have had no success thus far mating two sections together.   Perhaps I'm incorrigible.   But had no problem building my 10X22 permanent layout using Gargraves track and Ross switches.   I started my Christmas layout using same,  but ran into derailment issues with tin plate engines going through the switches.  Next, I tried modern manufacture Lionel 031 track and used the old tried and true post war switches.   The metal gauge of recent manufactured track was so flimsy it literally  caused enough restriction to stop the engine.  Thus, tried Lionel FastTrack and the command and control 031 switches.   Worked fine for about 3yrs.  Assembling the track this year turned problematic with connection pins breaking.   Might have something to with storage (unheated attic). 

Regards,

Bill

@BILL HUDSON posted:

Thanks Dallas.  I am aware of those plastic sections that slide under the rails.  The MTH video looked so easy.  Have not been able to see what is the   restriction preventing the plastic sections from seating.

Bill

Probably something simple Bill but do the electrical connecters in their proper configuration look like this photo..........?

The only other thing I can think is the little plastic protrusion that aligns the sides of the plastic roadbed.

If you still have issues ,.......could you put up a video of you wrestling with a couple sections ???

Dallas,

Received 10 brand new 10" straight sections a couple of days ago.  Compared them to the "like new/mint" used sections; there were , to me, no observable differences.  The used pieces didn't even need the rails cleaned.  On one of my recent connection attempts I managed to get one side seated but no go on the other side.  I declined to use brute force for fear of breaking plastic parts.  I will face reality and forget the Christmas layout this year.  Next year I might go back to Gargraves and Ross switches.   My tin plate engines will traverse the Ross switches going straight thru.  I do have some scale non-tin plate engines that will successfully traverse the Ross switches.

My apologies for not being successfull using your help.

May you have a wonderful Holiday season.

Bill

@BILL HUDSON posted:

Dallas,

My apologies for not being successfull using your help.

May you have a wonderful Holiday season.

Bill

Geeez Bill ,  no apology needed here.  We all " throw things at the wall to see if anything sticks "   some of these forum members use better sticky stuff than others.

If you could get a few pieces together or if you have a couple 30 inch sections you could at least display your train in front of the tree.

Sorry you won't have any layout this year.    Make it a great Holiday Season anyway............this is your opportunity for excellence .

I think you know that the rails, themselves do not connect; only the plastic tabs and metal connectors on the underside of the track pieces connect. Attempting to connect the track together like most other manufacturer's track will not work.

With the two track pieces upside down and facing you, slide the plastic tabs on each piece over each other (you are not trying to connect or push the pieces together at this point - just laying them together). Now rotate the two pieces towards you so they are right side up and level. Now tilt the outside ends of each piece (not where they meet) up about at a 10-15 degree angle and push the pieces together. Now tilt the ends of the pieces down and they should snap together at the joint. The concept is that the pieces do not snap together in a straight fashion, but rather in almost vertical manner at the tabs.

If still not joining, perhaps you could get a friend or neighbor to come over and watch the video and see if they can get the hang of it. There's a "trick" to it that once you do it a few times, you'll be a pro at it. 

@BILL HUDSON,

Are you trying to connect them by sliding them together as you hold them down on a flat surface?

Richie's on the mark here, but I'll say it a little differently.

It may help instead if you raise the outermost ends up but leave the connecting point on the flat.  Then lower the outer ends down as you simultaneously push the sections together.

It sometimes takes a surprising angle to get this to work.  However connecting completely on the flat rarely does.

Good luck and let us know if this works.

Mike

Re 30" sections: yes, I have 4 of them.  Good recommendation.  I should be able to display at least two train consists.  Will try most recent posts on connection suggestions.

Bill