Track gaps

Nearly finished laying track and find that there are several places where there are gaps between the ends of the rails (4-5mm), a little big for expansion joints methinks! As the track is carrying no power I thought perhaps scrunched up aluminium foil would 'bridge the gap'. anyone else got a better idea or does this only happen to me?

Mikey

Is the track connected with a fishplate? i.e. is the fishplate spanning the gap?

If so.
I cut small pieces of rail to slide in the fishplate or if the fishplate won't move I file the bottom web flat each side of the small rail piece so it just slots in from the top.

Scrunched up foil doesn't sound to good to me.

Brilliant Carl. I have already done such a thing with the couple of gaps of 1cm. they just rest in the eclisse. ~whats the average gap thats ok for expansion joint?

We talked about this a while back Mikey with a slight difference of opinion.
This is not an exact science as although the metal rail may or may not expand the sub base (wood especially) may well expand or contract and possibily in the opposite direction to the rail.

Hot Track

Even if you lay your track on the hottest day of the year I would still allow just a tiny gap every 2 metres. There will always be a hotter day.

As we agreed it's probably easier to fill a small gap rather than realign grossly buckled track.

sorry, I'd forgotten that one. i guess my reason for asking again is the rather larger gap between rail ends probably caused by my drawing a trackplan freehand and then making the track fit! the little bits of track should be fine though. cheers Karl

Nike

Carl Hibbs wrote:

I cut small pieces of rail to slide in the fishplate or if the fishplate won't move I file the bottom web flat each side of the small rail piece so it just slots in from the top.

.

Brilliant! I was puzzling over how to hide my cock ups before the open day without pulling up rail.

Seconded - I have a similar gap or two that I have been reluctant to try and sort, as the track is half-buried and looking quite nice visually. I shall have to try that one...

The importance of leaving track gaps

I got up this morning 'à bonne heure' very warm but very damp.
Went to put the removable bridge in place and.....



The result of some metal heat expansion but also damp swelling of the wooden track subframe.

Normally there is a 1 - 2mm gap.