bending gargraves with wooden ties

Try spraying with WD40, it helped on my track. but mine wasn't rusted Try wiggling the ties as you go.

A while back I had the same issue with older GG track.  The advice I received here was to lightly spray the rails where they join the ties with WD-40.  A small light spray and about 12-24 hours is all you need.  All of the ties will now move freely along with the rails.  As far as bending the track, that seems to be a bit of an art form.  The only advice I can offer is "patience grasshopper".  Go slow and it will work just fine.  

New Gargraves is difficult to bend without getting a kink, but old rusty Gargraves flex....not easy. The WD-40 is probably your best bet, but over time those ties shrink down a bit and grab hard, and if the rail is rust, it's not going to slide very well at all.

We have some Gargraves that's 40-50 years old, and it gets used for straights only. If you don't have a lot of it to bend, I would suggest buying the pre bent sectional curves with wood ties, or a couple pieces of new flex.

Use a heat gun or hair dryer with the WD-40. works like a charm.

I use my sexy looking abdomen for bending curves! Work from the middle of each section and at the ends where it tends to kink, use needle nose pliers to help bend the radii in small increments.

I think I have one of those bellies you speak of..and I have 11 curves to bend.  

And who said that a good beer belly is not useful!

here's one way to do it;

Ok the manual says the Hiawatha requires 54" radii. But the box says 42"radii

Whats the real deal

I know 54" would be best but if I can get by with 42"  

Then I would rather...

I fiund the mth linkhttp://mthtrains.com/content/20-3438-1

It says 72" radius

Now what do I believe?

Penn. Thanks I saw that video..its plastic ties I believe

It actually indicates on that page that 36" radius is required. 

Rob are in the catalog ir the web page. I do not see 36" anywhere ca you pin point it?

In your link - bottom right in this screen shot(the radius is not mentioned - only the diameter):

I see. I was reading the diameter and not the radius...thanks you just saved me a bunch of effort because I was attempting to build a layout around the walls with huge waste of space curves.  

Thats what I get for reading but not understanding...

I just set up a 42" curve and it glides like butter

I wasn't sure what you were using for layout planning software, etc., but as long as you stick to either radius or diameter measurements/nomenclature you should be OK.  In the three-rail world, if you use diameter, most everyone will get what you are saying.

"I am remain ukulele ng"

I am intrigued by this message fragment.  Could we get a translation?

Remaining in this house.  Kindle auto correct

Has a mind of its own