How to use and lay American “S” Gauge Track

American "S" Gauge Flex Track The Flex Track comes in full 60" lengths (5 feet).  The Flex Track was designed this way for making larger radius curves and longer track runs with less rail joint connections.  The Flex Track has both solid rails that float, allowing it to bend easily. When you assemble the two track sections together, first remove the rail joiner on one end of the flex and then connect both rails into the rail joiners supplied.  Then on the bottom, slide in and snap the two plastic track tie sections together with care.  When bending the flex track into the desired shape (not less than a 19” radius, 38” centerline diameter), the bottom broken tie should always be on the inside of the curve. As you are forming your track pattern you can use temporary pins every 6” or so to hold track in place until you are sure of placement. Once you are sure of the placement, mark the top of the rail, bend a little further, and clip the excess rail (recommend Xuron model no.2175B track cutter, following mfg. Instructions), and return it to your marked placement and tack down the track (using track nails, spikes or screws, your preference, with white glue) to the roadbed or tabletop. Install the next section of flex-track with rail joiners and proceed as before. You can also make custom straight sectional sections of 20”, 30”, 40”, and 50” lengths simply by unsnapping at the tie halves on the bottom. Make sure you mark rails on top correctly, before unsnapping tie halves, and cutting the rails to ensure a nice fit.                                      (If you are going to solder rail joiners, soldering tips are at the bottom of page)
American "S" Gauge Sectional Track The Sectional Track should be assembled on a flat surface making sure that both solid rails fit together by means of the rail joiners supplied.  These rail joiners should be fitted carefully, making certain that the rail slides into both the rail joiners prior to snapping the track sections together to make a snug fit and excellent electrical contact.
Vinylbed Roadbed for Track Any manufacturer of roadbed will work. Cork, HomaBed, Original Flyer Rubber Roadbed, and Vinylbed. We use Vinylbed™ “S” Scale roadbed, part no.414126 which is 2 3/8” wide on bottom, 1 7/8” on top X 35 1/2” long X 1/4” thick. The roadbed has a unique granular composition that is sound absorbing, easy to form, and mildew resistant. It is made by Hobby Innovations.  You can order on line at www.vinylbed.com or for information call them at (423) 727- 8000.
American "S" Gauge Ballast Classic Trains is stocking a new line of ASG Track Ballast.  The Ballast is fine crushed authentic natural rock,  prototypical sharp edged contours with irregular size, shape and used to hold railroad ties in place.  Ballast is available in several colors.  Black Dark, Black Medium, Gray Dark, Gray Light.  Ballast  retails for $4.99 a pound.  You can mix and match  ballast colors for any realistic effect.  Ballast per pound normal coverage for roadbed is 10-12 feet but can vary depending on height and width of roadbed.  Ballast color will depend upon the section of country your railroad operates in.    Medium Black    Dark Grey    Light Grey   Instructions for Making up Custom Lengths of Track   It is very easy and simple to make up custom curve and straight lengths of track.  1) Remove the rail joiner from the end you are not going to use.  2) Mark with pencil or marker pen the length to be cut on the top of the rails in the      center of the tie on both rails.  Check again to make sure your length is correct.  3) Turn over track and cut plastic away one tie on each side from your top rail       markings to give clearence to cut rail.  (We recommend and use the Xuron no.       2175B track cutter with excellent results.  Read the mfg instructions on its use.        One side cuts clean and flush, the other side acts as a shear.  Check yourself       to make sure you have the track cutter correct before cutting rail.  4) Once you have cut the rails save the end piece you just cut off with the snap lock       section.  Cut three ties back and slide snap section off rails.  5) Measure and cut the snap lock ties to fit back on the new section of rails.       Install snap lock, put rail joiner back on and you now have a new custom      cut track section with snap lock.
"Soldering tips" When soldering the rail joiners we use Kester "44" Rosin Core Solder.  Use a tin/lead alloy content of 60/40 ( melting point 374 degrees F) for most normal use or 63/37 (melting point 364 degrees F) when a lower melting temperature is needed.

We hope the above tips will help you to achieve the Model Railroad you've always wanted.

Photos courtesy of Tom Robinson and
The Volunteer Central II Train Layout

Ask for American "S" Gauge from your local Dealer