Track movement under freight train

[Russ Bellinis]

Rob,

I've noticed this movement when setting up temporary loops of track on the basement carpet for my kids. You might be able to model the movement by using a "less supportive" roadbed (like carpet) for a longish section of track (say one length of flex). Drill out the holes in the ties a little larger and loosely secure with track nails to allow up and down movement, but not side to side.

A certain amount of movement is normal (kind of like flex in airplane wings). The rails would have to be immensely strong - and therefore larger and more expensive - if there was to be no movement at all.

Andrew

I would hesitate to use carpet with ho. I think you are liable to get fibers jamming up the works. I think a thin layer of foam rubber with give similar to carpet would replicate the movement of the prototype without creating the problem with the carpet fibers.