ATLAS FLEX TRACK

Hard to believe no one has commented. I don't have any direct experience with Atlas, but I've read here that it's very hard to bend, even a little. It's nothing at all like like HO and N flex track. I believe most folks use GarGraves and some use ScaleTrax. GG can be bent to very tight curves if you take your time and follow the instructions on their website.  They say all their section curves are bent that way and then cut to length. I've test bent ScaleTrax to O42, but have not laid any real track with it. Unless something has changed, the problem with ScaleTrax is availability.

I use Atlas track but no flex track. I bought some flex track sections and experimented with them. Bad results....or at least not what I was expecting for curves. If I bent too much ....like an 072 curve ....the rails would pop out of the plastic ties and be impossible to put back in. I don't know how much of a bend you're looking for so maybe you should buy 1 or 2 and see what happens. I now have 360 lf of Atlas track installed w no flex track as there are many different curve choices to get great results. Enjoy!

I use Atlas 2 rail track and have NO trouble bending it. I have played with three rail Atlas with the same results.

Dick

I have been a piece of Flex track down before to a 24 diameter curve. I know that's ridiculously sharp I have a video of it on the glacier Line YouTube channel. You have to be careful when you bend it that tie cuz it's easy to break it. I'm not talking about the Atlas. I'm talking about gargraves. 

There is no way I'm going to pay $26 for a piece of Atlas Flex track when a piece of gargraves track cost 9 bucks.

I have lots of experience with Atlas Flex track though in HO scale.

3 rail flex track from atlas takes alot of time and patience to bend. Its very hard to bend as i was told. Its almost impossible to bend even at a 0-120 curve.

Allan Loczy posted:

3 rail flex track from atlas takes alot of time and patience to bend. Its very hard to bend as i was told. Its almost impossible to bend even at a 0-120 curve.

Exactly.....i have tried it first hand and it was ridiculous to get a 108 bend....if anyone has done bends w 3 rail of significance pls post on u tube ....would love to see it....

Picture center, best I could do.   Requires a lot of screws and work to hold this bend in place. 

Mike CT posted:

Picture center, best I could do.   Requires a lot of screws and work to hold this bend in place. 

Hello Mike....yes ive seen pics of this part of your layout before.....nice work with the flex track....do you have more pics or video of your layout....it seems to be outstanding craftsmanship...no biggie though if u don't.....have a great day

A few pictures   Click on the underlined phrase to link. 

Yep.....just like I thought outstanding!

I have some, and that's only because it was all there was when I needed long straight track.  I messed a little with it, and it is very difficult to bend, not at all like N and HO.  Since it's solid rail, and there are 3 of them, it takes a lot.  I know there was once a 3R rail bender offered, but I believe the guy that made them retired or passed.  Without once of those, I will be sticking to sectional Atlas curves.  Otherwise I love Atlas track.

Would using WD40 or similar help with the rails sliding in the ties? I have some flex but don't intend bending it beyond a very slight bit if necessary. As others have posted, Atlas makes a good variety of curves that are a drop-in for most applications.

I don't have issues with the rail sliding (Most times I have to slide it back into place as I use it for straight track.).  The issue is 3 thick rails you have to bend at once, and all at different rates.  Read this thread about the one that was available a few years back.  It allows for all three rails to be worked at once.  The trick is to do the bending a little at a time.