OK I’m a little embarrassed to ask but it’s been so long that I’ve forgotten. I want an “S” curve and thought I would just pull the pins and move them to the other side, but they are really hard to get out and I’m worried that I might ruin the track by forcing it. It feels like the rails are bending as if maybe the pins are compressed on and I don't want it too loose after I turn them around. Does it matter which way the pins are put in or I guess I’m asking if the pins are different diameters for each end?
If old tubular style 027, they have a dimple in the rail to hold the pin in the recessed groove of the pin. I have the track pliers to reset those. Side cutters (diagonal wire cutters), grasp the pin, wedge the hinge portion of the tool against the bottom (base and web) of the rail, leverage the pin out. If the track is something else, no idea. Dave
well its been in a box for a long time, but I believe its Lionel O-27 track with brown ties. I was just rying to pull them out again and I herd a "click" or "snap" like it just locked in. I don't think this is going to come out. I may try another curve to see if it comes out.
OK I just reread your post and realized that you did answer, I'll give it another try using your way.
OK the diagonal wire cutters did the trick, so I guess I'll have to make a dimple on the other side. Thanks for the info Dave
If the tubular/tinplate style, do it as Dave says. Carefully, so as not to spread the rail any more than necessary. When re-installing the pins, push in the same depth as before, If a snug fit, that may be good enough. If loose, then crimp the rail only so there results a very slight dimple. If this is something like their "FasTrack", I can't help.
Thanks BoxCab, I just pushed it together and I don"t think its ever going to come apart again because I had to hammer the pins in and also the other connecting track. It's so tight that I'm thinking I should do this to a couple of other track pieces to tighten them up.
I didn't have my reading glasses on when I pulled the pins on another curve and I destroyed those pins so I guess I'll need some practice before doing any more LOL hboy:
And you can...usually, if you grab right against the rail, the only dimple will be at that spot from the diagonal cutters, and a file will fix it. Are those the inexplicably hollow pins? Seen those...pitched those. Order out a bag of new and spare pins from one of the suppliers. While you are at it, order a ST-384 track pliers. http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/partsbybin/bin031/page.html http://www.ehobbytools.com/contents/en-us/p1.html
Thanks, They sure felt like hollow pins and I wondered about that because the first pins I pulled didn't crush like this. Now that you mention hollow pins I just wonder how many more are like this. I've never experienced this before but now that I think about it, I have had pins bend before and had no idea as to why.
Years ago, the pins were a solid steel which did not crush. One thing I have done, is any track which became damaged, I'd save pins before tossing it. (Free spares.) When I was a youth, and a trip into the distant town was not forthcoming, I used regular old (non-galvanized) nails and my trusty hack saw... Long ago days.... Do get those suggested pliers.
I still get track in stuff I pick up with cut off nails for pins. Gotta get the right size for 027....different diameter than 031. Make sure you get 027 pins! I hate those hollow ones.
I'm a nut for tools so I will purchase them for sure. I plan on running tublar track around a a 10x11ft room on a shelf mounted on a will so I can run O-scale all year round above my N-scale layout and those pliers will surly come in handy. Talking about tools was at Lowes a few days ago looking at clearance stuff and came across a $59 PEX Crimp Tool for $3. I was sure it had to be a mistake and had the cashier check the price before buying it. Well it was only $3 so I took it home. I don't even know what its used for, but for $3 I'll learn LOL
Did a little checking. 70-s and early 80's MPC was where the hollow pins seem to have come from. Methinks you have some old track there!
All the 27" Diameter Curved Track I have and some of the straight is from eBay and some did look like it was used. I bought a lot of brand new 42" Diameter Curved Track along with 35" long straight track about 6 years ago for an outdoor layout that never got off the ground because of the desert dust and wind.
Yeah...I know about desert dust and wind. My uncle and nephews were in Lancaster (L-4..remember that all these decades later). One nephew is up in the Tehachapi. Where I grew up, is was bad, but a court case gave them their water back, and it's green like it hasn't been in 80+ years. Owens Valley.
Oh yes, I lived in Tehachapi for a couple of years and even worked in Owens Valley. I actually liked Owens Valley and would have liked to live there. Now that everything is drying up, I’d like to move toward Utah. Some of my coworkers are talking about heading to Oregon where there is water.
