Isolating a section of already-ballasted track?

[teejay]

I've always cut rail with the top and bottom of the rail in the nipper jaws . Sideways ( in your case ) , I'm not sure if there would be a little distortion .They would definitely cut the rail . It's a tool you should probably have anyhow ...I use it extensively in scratchbuilding to cut off those little ends of styrene or stripwood that arise from time to time , especially on scratchbuilt stairs and railings .

T