(Good) Bad Track

Pie39 Mar 8, 2016

  1. Pie39

    Pie39 TrainBoard Member

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    After watching this Horribly Oversized video

    I wondered how hard it would be to have a siding or industry with old, rock-your-train sort of track. Has anyone tried this? Let's see some pictures!
     
  2. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I recall that many year ago, either RMC or MR had an article about this in HO. I've always had my doubts about seeing it happen in N scale.
     
  3. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    My cars don't have springs, they don't like bumps..
     
  4. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    I've watched plenty of N scale 'train cam' videos that show some pretty rickity track just like that. There are a few on my Youtube channel of my own layout with what I swore was some pretty decent trackwork...NOT !!! :censored:
     
    pastoolio likes this.
  5. Maletrain

    Maletrain TrainBoard Member

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    I guess my opinion on this has more to do with modelling realistic looking track than modelling realistic looking train action. When I see those HO cars being pulled at more than prototypical scale speeds, the rocking seems toy-like, anyway. But, I think that track going into old industrail spurs should not look like mainline tack. In addition to playing with ballast color and rail size, I think some SLIGHT wiggles, kinks and dips do look more realistic for old spurs. If cars are operated SLOOOOWLY enough, perhaps they would look realistic going over them? But, frequent derailments aren't realistic, especially when followed by "giant hands" doing the rerails.
     
  6. bman

    bman TrainBoard Member

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    I think it could be done in N scale. I've not permanently installed my sidings just yet as have been looking at Code 40 track for those and how to do something like this. I think if done in moderation, it would be a neat addition. Of course you'd want to run at prototype speeds unlike in the video. Hopefully that was just for demonstration purposes. We've a nice selection (I think) of N scale locos that can run well at such a slow speed now. Modeling Penn Central around '75 this has been my dilemma. I've seen video of some pretty rough track around town here from that time period. So to try and run without derailments all the time on prototype bad track in spots, or smooth running track and no(hopefully) no derailments(or the occasional, stuff happens).
     
  7. Philip H

    Philip H TrainBoard Member

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    So if you look at my friend Ed's York PA teaser photos, the very last one shows some flex track he's starting to mod to get this effect. I'd follow his website closely - there will likely be an Article baout when he's done.
     
  8. acptulsa

    acptulsa TrainBoard Member

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    I know it's a waste of a good turnout, but toward this end I like to include a 'switch to nowhere' in an old siding. It often happens that a spur will get pulled up, but the switch that led to it will remain in the line for quite some time because the road doesn't feel the immediate need to cut it out and replace it. They just spike it and leave it there.
     
  9. Manitobamodeler24

    Manitobamodeler24 TrainBoard Member

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    Ive done this in n, sadly no pictures, but it worked, they bobbed and listed, I could only run certain cars on it Tho, I think it would work better if we weighted the cars down a bit more, make them a bit heavier, especially if it is on modeled short line!
     
    Allen H likes this.
  10. Arctic Train

    Arctic Train TrainBoard Member

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    Didn't Mikelhh do an awesome video of one of his sidings showing this exact thing a while ago?
    Thought it was him, but I may be mistaken. Did a search but can't find my way around this site very well since the redo.
    Brian
     
  11. Eagle2

    Eagle2 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    As an off-hand thought, I wonder if something similar could be achieved by grinding some of the rail in spots? The appearance might not be the same, but at slow speeds it might replicate the motion?
     
  12. sandro schaer

    sandro schaer TrainBoard Member

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    on my former layout i used woodland scenics foam trackbed and peco code 55 flextrack. creating small bumps was quite easy. either use a small rubber-type hammer or simply use your thumbs to bend the track vertically. the foam trackbed and ballast will smoothly follow the track. might be more difficult if the track is on either cork or directly on plywood.
     
    mtntrainman likes this.

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