It appears that the shade roof I built over the area of constant sun has solved the problem. I will post a photo. It is a relatively small area, perhaps 6-8 feet long, but the temperature differential was as much as 35-40 degrees as the rest of the track is in the shade. It will be interesting to see how this fares this winter. We go from -10 to 110 for a range, although "normal temperatures are supposed to be mid teens to mid 90’s. We have corrected all the problems with the track power section, and now the entire layout can be run with track power. The only area that will be a problem with track power will be the two reverse loops as they are on the same trackage, and using them will create a polarity problem. So, if you come to run, and you like the idea of multiple reverse operation, bring your batter powered locos. The track power is linear, not PWC, and is controlled by three hand held transmitters. Perhaps this weekend, I will see if I can run 3 trains at a time on one of the loops, at least I won’t have to worry about cornfield meets as long as I go in the same direction. Just a pain getting the equipment to the layout. Oh well, life always has problems.
Jerry Bowers said:
I have never seen a screw in LGB track / tie structure.Happy RRing,
Jerry
You won’t …all I asked and stated too Noel was how I solved problem areas in full sun with Aristo Brass track. You could just screw down the LGB track ties and the same thing would happen as there are no securing screws too the ties. Expanding brass rail should push through it’s fastened straight run ties and relieve pressure on the non fastened(ties and rails) on curves.
Not challenging just stating my personal experience,
Glad you found a resolution too your issue Noel! I love this Hobby!
Noel, I had the problem of expansion and contraction in a curve on my original layout design and still have it today on my new track. I had a kink in my new track Saturday two weeks ago with 96 degree weather down here in Mississippi. I added Hillman’s expansion track and it solved the problem to where you cannot tell it moves. The expansion track will not solve all of the movement, that is the nature of the beast, but it will make it within toleration. Add the expansion track around curves and switches where the movement will affect the alignment the most. All of my track is floating. Maybe this will help some.
Ron
Hi Ron,
Thank you.
I have the Hillman track, but have been reticent to install it, as it will take a lot of work to do so. The fact that you said you used it on curves makes me think I should do that also, but I was under the impression that you only used the expansion tracks on straight areas. My straight tracks don’t seem to be affected, but then again the longest section of straight track is around 40’ long, I stuck mostly with curved areas as they tend to give some interest more so than straights (imho). I do have one further question, when you install the expansion tracks, how do you set them (fully closed, fully open)?
Thank you again.
Noel
Ron,
Do you have any pictures of where you have the kinking problem? I’m just curious.
I use aluminum track, which should expand even more than the brass. Half my RR is in full sun all day.
Temperatures here range from the high 90’s to zero in the Winter and I’ve not had any kinks in two years.
I also butt my rail joints tight, and there are a lot of them as I used 1 foot sectional track.
Noel,
That expansion track should be installed fully extended.
Ralph
Because of where the expansion/contraction is I don’t consider mine a problem. I just make sure I don’t put any structures in the way of it’s movement!I’ll look at one of mine this week because I need to tinker with it. I’ll look for screws. I think I remember seeing some.That far end where I’ve seen movement is in the sum all day but other sections are too. I do think my switches float with the rest of the track because there are switches on each end of the curve where there is movement, I think track just picks the easiest place to move. And we can have temperatures to 120 and down to 0 in the winter!
Dear Ralph,
Wouldn’t you install the expansion track fully extended at your lowest possible temperature, or at least at the lowest possible temperature that you would run at?
What happens beyond the longest extension, does it hit a limit and stop, or does it pull apart into two separate pieces?
Sincerely,
Joe Satnik
Doug Arnold said:That's my solution, Doug. I made my roadbed very wide at the curves. The track will move several inches. I learned this the hard way. When I first installed my track I put it in pretty close to a rock wall, thinking it would look cool. First hot day the track was butted up against the rocks and I had to redo it.
Because of where the expansion/contraction is I don't consider mine a problem. I just make sure I don't put any structures in the way of it's movement!
Joe,
One can’t wait for Winter, so I would say late in the evening or early morning to install the expansion track.
I don’t have an expansion track, so I don’t know if they have “stops” or not.
Ralph