Re:Bending O-72 Gargraves track

My layout will be all GG Flex. I have test bent some but not a lot. Most of what I've read and seen have you bend to an item about the same diameter as the radii you want.  Some have used barrels others jigs made from wood. The jig should have a end where you 'lock' in the end of the track and an edge with the radii needed. You palce the track in the lock end and walk it around the jig. Pretty sure GG has videos out there on the site or YouTube showing this method.

The video is at the bottom of this page........

http://www.gargraves.com/diagramsandinstructions.html

Use a round template approximately the radius of your curve.  Mark a curve with a line that will be the inside of the track ties on your roadbed,  

Pre-bend flex-track  on a flat & even plane. The track will want to straighten so over bend slightly. If you are butting against  a square end of a switch or track, then,cut the piece you have just bent so rails mate leaving the other rails staggered  Use a Dremel cutoff tool.

Pre-bend the next section as before,mate the the shortest rail first. then use a small hammer and a block of wood to tap the center rail through the ties until it mates. Do the same to the other outside rail while making sure the ties follow your radius line and temporarily fasten the track. Continue on being sure to follow your line.

I forgot to tell you that staggering the rail joints will help to keep curves smooth.

The easy way is to buy the 072 sectional curves Goes down real fast!

Thank you everyone for your help! I am just trying to upgrade one "basic" 4' x 8' layout so I can at least run my Weaver "Little Joe" & "Hiawatha" on it.

Regards,

Ron W.

On the two mainlines used  O80, O88, & O96  curved track laid on Vinylbed.

used gargraves flex for the branch line and freight yard/engine facilities.

I have used the flex in the past for curves down to O42 - neither fun nor easy to get smooth curves. I would also recommend the pre-curved sections for standard curve diameters. I save the flex for custom diameters and for simplifying tricky alignment situations.

Jim

Thank you again everyone. I probably will just use the flex track for the long straight runs and just get some pre-done O-72 curves to keep it simple.

Regards,

Ron W.

Flex track allows you to ease into the pre-made turns.  This will give a better appearance when your engines enter and leave a turn. 

Hey John,

Please check your e-mail. I sent you a response via that way.

Thanks,

Ron W.

I have only found one use for my large round belly - and that is bending 072 flex track curves around it! Works perfectly.