rack removable section

[idlemarvel]

I am thinking of adding a short (8m) rack and pinion track to my layout. I anticipate the gradient will be about 1:10, mostly on curves of about 3ft radius. About half way along there needs to be a removable (straight) section of about 2ft where the line crosses a path. My questions are:
1 - do I need to use LGB track to fit the rack or will it fit on Piko (or any) 45mm code 332 track?
2 - can I have a break in the rack where the removable section is or does the rack have to be continuous?
3 - do locos typically use both pinion and wheels for traction or do you normally switch between the two?
Thanks for any advice.

 

[stevelewis]

There shpould be no problem with a gap in the rack!providing it is very small otherwise if the gap is on a steep section then the loco may just stall, although it should be possible to arrange things so that it is only nescessary to make a cut in the rack where the removable section is ensuring that you use clips on both sides of the cut.

The locos tend to rely on the rack when on rack section for traction as these sections are usually too steep for adhesion anyway

Not sure if the rack retaining clips are suitable for other than LGB track as the dimensions of the sleeper spacings may be marginally different,, I just tried fitting an LGB Rack rataining clip on to both Aristocraft European style and PIKO track they did fit JUST but it was a tighter fit and more difficult to achieve than with LGB track

The transition from rack to adhesion and vice versa is usually seemless

Hope this helps PS if you check a couple of threads below you will find my posts re my Rack observations!