Laying TT:120 OO|HO Peco Flexible Model Railway Track Part 2of2 Fix Snip Join Bends Spacing | ml14

[@Dr.Gunsmith]

God when Elvis entered the building I was bad laughing 😂 thanks made my day.

[@modeloco]

Really couldn't get in gear with doing this video & knew, that although, it was a simple question to ask, 'Hey, how do you lay Flex track?', it requires, a very in depth answer, to explain chronologically, as there are so many variables. Like saying, 'How do you strum a guitar & sing at the same time?' or, 'How do ride a two wheeled bike?'. The truth is, 'Dunno, never thought about it really but, it ain't that simple, yet once you know how, it is'. Honestly, dunno what got into me, to do that intro' &, can quite understand some, being totally like... 'What's going on?' but, it's that excitement & fun that drives creation. We all get too serious so, Elvis was the perfect choice to break the ice that day.

[@PeachyTT120]

That bent rail idea for handling the TT/N gauge fishplates is genius! I went straight to the shed to try it and I swear it’s a game changer.

[@modeloco]

It’s a good one that, yes. It’s Peachy then, from now on Chris, I guess

[@ChrisBarnard-vd2fj]

As a newbie to this, thank you for a very helpfull video.

[@modeloco]

Thanks Chris. It’s a bit of a minefield at first, even coming back in as I did just after DCC Sound had really got going 👍

[@PaulSmith-pl7fo]

Hi Andy. If even slightly damaged, don't reuse track pins (same for fishplates/rail joiners). Instead of using a larger cutting disc to cut the track, just position the end of the track over the edge of your workbench - you will get a much straighter edge. Xuron cutters come in two types: the ones you have for cutting with the cutters held horizontally for unlaid track, and another type for cutting vertically for laid track. I'm a little disappointed in the TT "tracksettas"; I'd rather they were made of metal and were free-running like the Tracksettsand not having to click in - come on Tracksetta, make metal ones for TT! A little more expensive, but you can get adjustable way gauges. Received wisdom is that you don't join track on a curve. If you must, then offset the joints as you mentioned.

[@modeloco]

Bent pins and damaged fishplates, indeed yes, good points, pardon the pun. If you’re able to use cutting discs in this way, over a bench end then great yes but, to hold a curve or, slightly bent straight, as you’ve formed it, on the layout, whilst then removing it, to cut it and, put it back, etc, I’d suggest, is taking a bit of a broad brush to the reality. I, as many others have found that in OO, certainly, these Xuron track cutters work as well, in a vertical position but, do note this horizontal recommendation on the video, as well as the vertical type being available. These TT radius gauges are the only ones I’ve found thus far but, are not Tracksetta, far as I’m aware, of course, just in case others read this to be the case but, am sure Peco will come out with some steel sliding ones eventually. The plus side is, these are the correct geometry, a tracksetta drawback and confusion in the past and another too, that these are simply labeled 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc and you get all the lot for under 20 quid. Have the Proses adjustable gauges, didn’t like tbh. Wing nuts soon come loose and move too easily. I like a fixed template, that’s the idea of them, in my train of thought, to see and know what they’re set at when you grab them so, keeping your mind on the other job in hand. Reality again is, we do have to join track on curves. I certainly had no choice. The offset joints, whilst an option, on OO, do pose a bigger challenge in TT because of the track size and, bed groove needing to be cut away for fishplate joiners to be fitted. Thank you for your response. It is very much appreciated 👍

[@grlaycock67]

Motorbogies and 3mm scale model railways have some 12mm tracksetta tools in stock. Neither have 15" in stock. I contacted Peco a while back and they were going to contact the manufacturer to see if 12mm tracksetta was going to be produced again.

[@modeloco]

@@grlaycock67 Thanks for the heads up on this Gavin 👍

[@PaulSmith-pl7fo]

@@grlaycock67 Thanks, Gavin

[@PeachyTT120]

Good stuff Andy.

[@modeloco]

👍🙏⭐️

[@gerrybvr]

I wonder how many people winced when you were cutting the sleepers with the knife blade pointed towards your hand? 😱

[@modeloco]

It’s held under the rail and above the sleeper if, that’s the part you mean? To try dig in and cut away or, hold the track on its side and cut down would be far more likely to make trouble, in my experience. If you have any other methods or, workarounds please forward but, this is a rare one where, due to the nature of the beast as it were, I’m not cutting away.

[@stevio7777]

Hi Andy I've started laying my Peco flexitrack now. Thanks once again for your invaluable comprehensive vids. Can you remember where you got those bigger cutting discs from? Ta mate, Steve

[@modeloco]

Hi Steve, Thanks again. They were most likely from Lidl that have various tools on sale on like a rotating basis throughout the year or, possibly a store called Boyes. That said I'm now using the Xuron track cutters far more & as confidence grows in these it's gone from 20% of the time to 95%. Have you got some of these?

[@stevio7777]

@@modeloco yes after watching your vid I got some. I’ve also got one of those Parkside dremel type grinder/driller/sander etc tools 🙂 Why I was after the bigger cutting disc was to cut the track for my feedback sensors but thinking about it it probably doesn’t matter. A cut is a cut after all. I must say the little gadget I got from west hill wagon works for putting the fishplates on is a dream. Anyway how’s Elvis 🤣

[@stevio7777]

I think I’ll find it easier to cut the track rather than mess about with insulated fish plates 😅

[@stevio7777]

Yeah, I’m thinking that as well 👌

[@modeloco]

@@stevio7777 👍 As for Elvis he’s back in his box 📦

[@damianinCanadaTT-OO]

I wonder if you’ve dealt with joining Peco track to Hornby track yet. I’ve head the Peco TT fishplates are virtually impossible to fit onto Hornby track. The guidance was use Hornby TT fishplates or Peco OO fishplates. Also is that distance between tracks on the curve rail to rail or sleeper to sleeper?

[@modeloco]

Yeah, check out Modeloco ml7 and, also looked at this in Modeloco ml5 👍🙏. Distance is rail to rail

[@alancurtis1388]

top tips

[@modeloco]

This hobby can always push the boundaries and comfort zones. It’s great when you break through and achieve something beyond that or find a new way to do something by watching others doing it their way. Have also found out a lot about myself at the same time which is very enlightening and challenging at the same time. One example. Having 3 very bespoke layouts in flux at the same time is probably quite unusual and the realization of this can be extremely satisfying or, at times, a self created burden. That yearning to complete and the opposing force to keep it on going until a certain skill set or, decision has been reached are both viable options when there’s no deadline to meet. I knew an artist who spent their whole life practicing for an exhibition they never felt quite ready to have. We all would probably say, how sad but, the flower in the deepest forest may never get seen, and yet, it still blooms 🔔

[@peteralbertthomas]

Why not dedicate a how to fit TT fishplates.

[@modeloco]

Hi Peter, Once I get one of my layouts somewhere near and, the TT one has now made massive progress then 👍. A few quick skill specifics could be a good way to help others too. Take it you’re still having a few issues with it. One thing for sure after laying it, going back to OO will be a breeze

[@stevio7777]

Where do you get that pin Pusher/Plunger from? Ta! and the longer pins?

[@modeloco]

Good question Steve. Know I ordered with a lot of gear but, from various outlets and these both escape my exact recollection as I’d usually add these kind of items to get the free shipping on orders. Pin push, cheapest I’ve found today is here at TMC but, Seen on Tennents Trains too so linked both as P&P can differ. www.themodelcentre.com/gm669-gaugemaster-pin-pusher-with-depth-stop www.tennentstrains.co.uk/products/railway-accessories/tools/gm669-pin-pusher-with-depth-stop The nails I think came from Pennine Model Shop in Haworth, West Yorkshire, now moved to a farm near Malham in North Yorkshire. Great day out. The owner Stuart has taught me so much. His wife is Pat. Beware, if you ever go, he’s a real character 😂 but, what a place! www.penninemodels.co.uk/about-us/ Back to pins. Took them out of packaging and if from Stuart could’ve bought in big loose unmarked bag that he possibly weighs out and bags himself, sort of thing. They could also be Gaugemaster GM67 but, Dont hold me to it if you want them exactly like mine but, most do sell these and they do seem similar, hard to tell from shop pics I know. PS Thanks 🙏

[@stevio7777]

@@modeloco cheers for all that matey. Have a gooden 😀

[@modeloco]

@@stevio7777 yes thank you 🙏