Rail Bending

[Dr. Bond of the DVLR]

Right then,

I have Peco SM45 track and need it to a 2ft 6 inch radius and later on 2ft radius (sharp intake of breath)

What meathods do you suggest bearing in mind I don't want to buy anything and that this part of the railway is very lightly laid track, I've deliberately left a few kinks in other places...

[MDLR]

The simplest way is to BUY (pause for sharp intake of breath) a welder's clamp like the one at the top of this picture:



You can put 3 blocks between the jaws and use it to bend the rail.

[SillyBilly]

I used a wooden plank with a series off screws in it, the rail was threaded through the gaps between the screws which had been set to roughly generate the correct radius.

[METHSSNIFFER]

If its flexi track you should be able to pin it to the radius you require using a radius curve, to make it easier cut the plastic between the sleepers this can be removed and the ease of bending is a lot easier.

[Aizoon]

If you're going down to 2'6", then you'll have to pre-bend the track. The board with nails/screws looks like the best option. Even better, brass collars on the screws will make the job a lot easier.