R0 Track

[duncan1_9_8_4]

Has anyone any experience or pictures of R0 track alongside standard R1 of the LGB variety? Toying with an Idea for my Field Stock, but would like to see it before ordering from Heyn, or using Flexible Track to gain the curve.....

How easy is LGB track to bend, do I need a rail bender....? Never used it before.

 

[Gizzy]

I have a single rail bender, but only used it to straighten R1 curves, or bend flexi track.

I've never tried to tighten R1 curves, but I guess it's feasible.

Seeing that you are trying to put in a second route, I would have thought a Heyn Y point might be a better option.

He makes a R1-R1 curved point but it is €115....

 

[PhilP]

I don't think you will have much luck trying to tighten up a curve without a railbender.

Also most will not bend right to the end of the rail, so you end up having to trim the track as well.

As you get to tighter and tighter radii, keeping the curve smooth, and maintaining gauge becomes more important.

As you say, it will probably be OK with Feldbahn stock, but your bigger loco's may not like the curves.

You also need to think about clearances on the inside of the curve, for longer stock, and whether you will suffer from buffer-lock.

PhilP.

 

[tac foley]

LGB brass is VERY difficult to bend into a set, because it is extensively work-hardened during the manufacturing process. Ad to that that the very shape of the cross-section shows that it was designed, like the real thing, for resistance to any kind of bending - just take a look at the cross-section at the foot of the profile and tell me different.

The only way to do it with any hope of success is to anneal it, bend it to the required bendment, and then let it air cool.

Good luck with that.

 

[borsig1963]

the Massoth rail bender is too expensive and not worth the effort for a few pieces, so i built this tool to go from the R2 LGB curve to the TrainLine 90cm radius curve, using ball bearings. It's not perfect, but when you put the rails in the sleepers, I'd say it's ok for short stretches