Scenic Rails Masterclass - Part 2: Fitting and Connecting Track

Aligning Rails Precisely

Materials Needed:

• Previously sorted track segments A–F
• Metal rail joiners (supplied with track)
• Small dish for track pins
• Fine track pins or nails
• Controller and test rolling stock

Morning sunlight filters through your window as you return to the bench with a fresh cup of tea. Today, the focus shifts from imagination to precision: you will link your track segments into a cohesive oval that will guide your locomotive on its first journey. Handle your track pieces with care and let each click of metal on metal become part of the rhythm of your heartbeat.

Begin with two segments side by side on a flat surface. Slide a joiner—those small metal tubes, onto the end of one rail until it sits snug against the sleeper. Then bring the second segment close and guide its rail into the joiner. A gentle push and they will click. Pause. Run a fingertip across the joined rail; the seam should be virtually invisible. If there is a bump or gap, pull the sections apart and try again, sliding the joiner a hair closer to the middle of the rails before re-joining. You’re looking for perfect alignment.

One by one, continue joining segments A through D on your flat workspace. With each union, cultivate a sense of patience. There is no need to rush. Notice how the sleepers line up, how the underside feels smooth, how the metal reflects the light. When you have four connected pieces, lift them carefully and set them back onto the baseboard, aligning them with the pencil lines. Does the assembled length follow the curve you traced? If it drifts off course, gently twist the segments so that the joiners re-seat themselves, guiding the rail back into place.

Next, you’ll pin the track to the board. Dust a few track pins into a small dish, then rest the assembled track on your traced lines. Find the first sleeper hole at one end, and tap a pin just enough so it grips the wood but doesn’t crush the sleeper. Work your way around the oval anti-clockwise, placing pins every four or five sleepers. Feel for resistance, listen for the delicate tap, and resist the urge to drive the pins through completely, microscopic bends in the track can cause derailments later on.

With your track now felted to the board, it’s time to test. Connect your power track to the controller, clip the wires under the board, and place a test car on the rails. Turn the controller knob gently; the wheels should hum to life and roll smoothly around the curve. If the car hesitates or makes a chattering noise at any join, stop immediately and examine that joint. A tiny misalignment at this stage can magnify into a derailment when you add scenery.

Now that the track is secure and functional, label each segment by writing the corresponding letter on a small piece of tape and sticking it beside the rail. Later, as you add sidings or change your layout, these markers will save you time and head-scratching.