Does anyone know if an insulated track section can be made from Snap Track. I understand how to do it with regular tubular track but I have no idea if it can be done with this track. Any help would be great, thanks.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
"Snap Track" is a term most aboard here will likely attribute to "HO" gauge trains; what exact track are you trying to make an insulated section out of? (Fastrak?)
RRaddict2,
Maybe take a picture of the track so we can see how we can help out here.
Thanks, John
K-Line snap (if that is what you are referring to) is already insulated on the outside rails,since it has plastic ties. For the ends joining sections,cut off the snaps and peel back just a bit,and insert plastic pins. In joining other sections not insulated,it is advisable to insert Lionel O scale pins. My layout is all shadow rail and snap and I have a block system,so I know it can be done..
Here is K-Line snap used for a trolley line. The loop at the end has 4 insulated sections (temporarily marked with masking tape) so 3 trolleys stage and run one at a time into a larger loop. Click on any photo to enlarge
The loop goes down to a lower level, intersects a rail line in 2 places.
Relays control the 3 trolleys,which run one at a time,reduce voltage and slow trolley downhill,increase voltage uphill,provide soft start and prevent collisions. The bridge rectifiers on the right provide 3 voltages,uphill,downhill and flat. Relays detect when trolley is on the grade. The timer on the bottom times stops.
Dale H
Attachments
Images (3)
K-Line Snap track is what I am talking about. I already use pins with the track but I am guessing that I use the nylon pins on the sections I want to insulate? Thanks for the help.
Originally Posted by Dale H:
K-Line snap (if that is what you are referring to) is already insulated on the outside rails,since it has plastic ties. For the ends joining sections,cut off the snaps and peel back just a bit,and insert plastic pins. In joining other sections not insulated,it is advisable to insert Lionel O scale pins. My layout is all shadow rail and snap and I have a block system,so I know it can be done..
Here is K-Line snap used for a trolley line. The loop at the end has 4 insulated sections (temporarily marked with masking tape) so 3 trolleys stage and run one at a time into a larger loop. Click on any photo to enlarge
The loop goes down to a lower level, intersects a rail line in 2 places.
Relays control the 3 trolleys,which run one at a time,reduce voltage and slow trolley downhill,increase voltage uphill,provide soft start and prevent collisions. The bridge rectifiers on the right provide 3 voltages,uphill,downhill and flat. Relays detect when trolley is on the grade. The timer on the bottom times stops.
Dale H
If you want it for fastrack, David Baran made a nice video on how to make an insulated, activation track. Here is the link,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWKCyTdKgL4
Bill
Originally Posted by RRaddict2:
Does anyone know if an insulated track section can be made from Snap Track. I understand how to do it with regular tubular track but I have no idea if it can be done with this track. Any help would be great, thanks.
As Dale, You don't necessarily have to cutoff the plastic snap pieces, though you do if you want to connect it to Lionel tubular track like a switch or RCS section.
But under the plastic clip is 2 metal connector tabs that make contact. YOu need to clip these off, otherwise the track may still make contact via these connectors. They are the continuity and why pins are not necessary with K-Line Snap track.
I use pins to increase the continuity and stabilize the track.
So I would cut those metal clips back, install insulating pins to keep the track section from touching, and you have an insulated section. G
GGG
Sorry I was not clear. I meant to say to cut off the metal part,not the plastic snaps. I misspoke.You also have to bend it or cut it back a bit further so there is no metal touching. I purchased the O120,O 96 when K-Line went out of business. I purchased additional track from RMT. Some of my straights were 10 inch, 1000 in all made for girls sets,I painted the white ties black. I did have to remove the plastic snaps to mate to other O tubular and regular shadow rail. I also us metal pins and also solder jumpers across connections. I made the 10 inch straights into long sections that way soldering them while turned upside down. . Avoids continuity problems.
Dale H
This K line track was the one I preferred over Lionel Tubular, Fastrack and Real Trax from MTH.
I used it on more than 5 of my layouts in the past 20 years.
