Rail end gaps at joins - a problem?

[Spule 4]

I had a few gaps where I laid flexitrack on a very hot day and when it cooled it left about 4-6mm gaps in places. Like Pete, I cut small lengths of rail and slid them into the fishplate to fill the gaps, well nearly fill as I wanted to leave a bit of a gap for expansion. Worked a treat and very easy to do.

I did this once myself when I had to make a slight repair to some track. I use clamps and had a couple spots where there was more than a 2-3mm gap. Some VERY short bits of rail did the trick!

 

[JRinTawa]

I had a couple of largish gaps on some siding and used a sliver of rail offcut to slipped into the rail joiner to take up the slack. Not so sure if it would be a good idea long term on the main line, but would probably okay if you used railclamps.