Shady Creek Model Railroad

I used Peco flex track and turnouts.  I used code 55 rail which will easily match the code 55 track on the original NTrak module.

I found it easiest to lay a turnout down first and then lay the connecting flex track.  First I glued down the turnout using guidelines I had marked down when I was drawing the centerlines.  I did not place glue near any of the moving parts of the turnout.  I secured the turnout using track nails as pins.  If I was going to come off the turnout with a curve I let the glue dry first.

The flex track has gaps in the plastic structure under one of rails to make it easier to bend in one direction.   If the track was going around a curve, I first had to orient the track so the gaps would face outward from the curve.  I then cut off a couple ties on the end of the flex track that was going to connect to another piece of track.  This allowed room for the rail joiners to slip on to the rails.  I will replace these missing ties at a later date.

Next, I had to align the track to follow the centerline.  This allowed me to find approximately where the other end of this track section would be.  I then cut the ties off at this location, which was usually in the middle of the piece of flex track.  I could skip cutting the ties out if the track was going to dead end.

Next, I applied glue along the section where I was laying the track.  I connected the flex track to the previously laid turnout or flex track using rail joiners.  Depending on the turnout, insulated rail joiners may be required on a couple rails, which was my case.  Starting from this end, I pinned the flex track down following the centerline.  Often, I had to work the flex track to get both rails to line up at the starting point.  The rail over the gapped side can slide back and fourth along the track.  Once the track section was pinned, I used either a Dremel tool or rail snips to cut the rails in the area where I cut out the ties.  When the glue had dried, I remove the track nails.

I ended the tracks one inch before module junctions.  I will cut pieces out of flex track to place in these gaps once I connect the layout together.

I will continue laying track on the other two modules.