ilikeboomerang1 Posted July 30, 2015 Posted July 30, 2015 (edited) Hi guys, I just wanted to know if flexitracks can be flexed to make different levels. I'm asking this so when I have the time and money, I could buy some of them to make a train version of the Airport Shuttle. Thanks for answering! Edited July 30, 2015 by ilikeboomerang1 Quote
Rail Co Posted July 30, 2015 Posted July 30, 2015 If you mean make a raised track yes you just have to support it slightly different. If you mean an incline it can but it can't be terrible sharp angle you would have to do your own tests on that Hope the helps -RailCo Quote
ilikeboomerang1 Posted July 30, 2015 Author Posted July 30, 2015 If you mean make a raised track yes you just have to support it slightly different. If you mean an incline it can but it can't be terrible sharp angle you would have to do your own tests on that Hope the helps -RailCo Thanks, but I don't understand the part of ''But it can't be terrible sharp angle''. I think you meant it can have. I forgive you. Yes, flex track can flex vertically too. Thank you for telling me that. Well, if more people have an answer to this, I would appreciate it. Quote
marook Posted July 30, 2015 Posted July 30, 2015 Flextracks can be used like the other tracks, but they are way harder to support if you wanna use them for an in-/decline and turn at the same time, because they can't be fixed in the curve angle - here the normal tracks is way better. Using flextracks on inclines is also not as great due to the many smal areas where the wheels loose contact with the tracks. But make some tests and see if they are ok for what you have in mind.. it's so hard to tell from 'across the pond'.. ;-) Quote
dr_spock Posted July 30, 2015 Posted July 30, 2015 I did something like this but you may have to do a more gentle rise for the train engine to make it up. Alternative you can make some sort of "cog" railway with Technic gear rack and gears. Wagon Tipper by dr_spock_888, on Flickr Quote
obsidianheart Posted July 31, 2015 Posted July 31, 2015 I did something like this but you may have to do a more gentle rise for the train engine to make it up. Alternative you can make some sort of "cog" railway with Technic gear rack and gears. Wagon Tipper by dr_spock_888, on Flickr I really like your solution to the angles of the anti-studs on the underside of the inclined track! Quote
pirzyk Posted July 31, 2015 Posted July 31, 2015 I agree with Marook that you will have more slippage on the same incline using flex track vs using straight track. As for the incline, I have been told to only go up 1 plate per straight track segments. If you have a shorter train you can have a steeper incline, I have been able to do 1 brick per 32 studs. Quote
marook Posted July 31, 2015 Posted July 31, 2015 (edited) I agree with Marook that you will have more slippage on the same incline using flex track vs using straight track. As for the incline, I have been told to only go up 1 plate per straight track segments. If you have a shorter train you can have a steeper incline, I have been able to do 1 brick per 32 studs. I do about 2 plates pr. track-segment (normal track, 4 flex-pieces) and that works great, even for long HE trains if it's charged, at least if it's a bit up to speed when starting the climb.. just like normal trains. :-) And I'm running at least two full sets together. Edited July 31, 2015 by marook Quote
ilikeboomerang1 Posted July 31, 2015 Author Posted July 31, 2015 Thanks to all of you guys for your answers. The reason was that I'm not JUST building a train version of the Airport Shuttle, but a train that has the locomotive and colors of the Red Passenger Train, the cars from the Metroliner, the Passenger-Cargo cars of the Railway Express, the Club Car's, well, club car and the layout of the Airport Shuttle,. Sadly, my wife and I do not have money to buy it all on Bricklink, so the only thing I could do right now is build it in LDD, or as always, I can just dream. Sigh... Quote
Brickthus Posted August 4, 2015 Posted August 4, 2015 Here is how I supported flexi-track on a slope, as well as canting and ballasting the track. The cant and ballast are integral with the track modules; 6 degrees of cant is the maximum on British railways. The system separates into track modules for each piece, composite tiles 2 plates thick to support the track, and scenery providing vertical and lateral support. The whole is a 72M radius curve and my heavy trains are quite happy running on it. A 104M radius curve is also easy enough: The amount of slope is 1 plate per 4 pieces, equivalent to 1 plate per piece of standard track, or 1 in 40. I used jumper plates to provide half-stud-height supports in the middle of each composite tile. A model railway can do up to 1 in 30, which would be 1 plate per 3 pieces. I have used that on straight track on my modular layout; 4 plates in a 48M baseplate with 3 straights. More pics in this folder It is possible to make steeper slopes but, for every change in slope, the train bogie pivot has to flex to accommodate it whilst keeping all the wheels on the track. I was considering whether a roller-coaster could be done. I tried using flexi-tracks back to back with plates joining them. I decided there are easier ways to make a roller-coaster! Mark Quote
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