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Mission Briefing: Like many others out there (C'mon, 'fess up'!) I don't actually have a layout -- yet! I've dumped a couple extra tons of dirt in the back yard (which has turned into grass-covered hills [/DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/sad.gif] ) and I've actually plotted and layed some test track, but there were some issues about fences and trees that have kept the layout in the 'concept' stage for the last mumbly-sumthin years. What I do have is - a garage full of track! Every year, at San-Val's sale, I'd buy a box or two or three of Aristo 5-foot straight sectional track!
In the last year, a few things have changed. San-Val has closed (alas!), but on the up side, the tree and fence issues have been resolved or are on their way to resolution. And, while at the Arizona convention, I saw a layout and trackplan that inspired me to throw out my old drawings and do something quite a bit different and more ambitious. In short, it's time to start laying track!
So if you were in my shoes, with a lot of 5-foot sectional track, what would you go shopping for? If you answered "One of those fancy new double-track benders that don't force you to take the ties off", the bird comes down and you get the prize! My first stop of the morning was at the Train-LI USA booth.
The rail bender was at the back of the table, and I asked Axel Tillman (MLS member and sponsor) if I could look at it. Sure, he said, and motioned me around to the inside of the booth, where I could grab a chair and play with the tool. No sooner did I get around the table, however, than another 'civilian' came up to the table and asked about the rail bender. Carla caught this picture as I was mimicking rolling the bender back and forth along the track, and explaining why this was the best idea since sliced bread.
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"Yeah, what he said" says Axel, vaguely alarmed at this enthusiastic non-employee.
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Actually, Axel was showing me the differences in manufacturers' tie construction. Turns out that on Aristo track, you need to remove the little screws on the bottom of the ties along the outside of the desired curve. Otherwise, the rail bender will just break the ties. (In contrast, Train-LI makes track that doesn't screw the ties down, but allows them to slide on the rail.)
So Axel mounts the rail bender and slides it back and forth a few times, while I play Ronco kitchen tool salesman (or Vanna White, take your pick). The track curves like it's rubber. Then he turns the tool around and, with a few swipes, straightens the rail out again.
![]()
Note the two bubble levels built onto the tool. These aren't necessary to the bending process, but they do allow you to run the tool along your track once you have it laid, and check for straight & level.
Was it Heinlein who said something like "Nobody invented the railroad until it was railroad time. "? (In fact, I think somebody here has used it as a SIG line.) Well, it must be track bender time, because I found two more double track benders being offered at the show.
Massoth, the company that makes a lot of the electronics for LGB engines as well as various accessories, has been advertising their rail bender for a while. I was lucky enough to find Ron Gibson at their booth, and he allowed me to try out the rail bender that he's used to build numerous layouts. It might be a bit larger and heavier than the Train-LI product, and the gauges may be a bit easier to read. I couldn't tell any difference in the way it felt as I was bending track. No bubble levels.
![]()
The third rail bender is from somebody called RGSS Hobbies. Like many of the small exhibitors at this years' show, these folks seemed to be retailing a miscellaneous collection of stuff, from custom buildings to AMS rolling stock to -- yes -- rail benders. Here's theirs -
![]()
This bender was the lightest of the three, which stands to reason since it's milled from aluminum, with a nicely bezelled finish. Looks simpler from the top than the other two, but I think that's because the various rollers, cam and levers are on the bottom of the chassis. This bender appeared to do just as good a job as the other two in curving sectional track.
I know, more about dual rail benders than you ever wanted to know. I made my decision and bought one, but your mileage may vary. Before we move on though, here's one bit of interesting info that I learned which applies to all of them. If you want to make a curve of a consistent radius through several pieces of track, so that it's as even as a circle of curved sectional track from an LGB or Aristo box, use a jug, or a master drawing, or use one of your pieces as a master for the others, and eyeball it! The gauges on all of these benders can not guarantee a consistent curve through multiple pieces of track. It's not their fault -- it turns out that there's enough variation in ductility from one piece of track to the next so that one will bend just a bit easier, or harder, than another! The gauges will tell you how much tension you're putting on the track, but it's up to you to judge how much is enough.
In the last year, a few things have changed. San-Val has closed (alas!), but on the up side, the tree and fence issues have been resolved or are on their way to resolution. And, while at the Arizona convention, I saw a layout and trackplan that inspired me to throw out my old drawings and do something quite a bit different and more ambitious. In short, it's time to start laying track!
So if you were in my shoes, with a lot of 5-foot sectional track, what would you go shopping for? If you answered "One of those fancy new double-track benders that don't force you to take the ties off", the bird comes down and you get the prize! My first stop of the morning was at the Train-LI USA booth.
The rail bender was at the back of the table, and I asked Axel Tillman (MLS member and sponsor) if I could look at it. Sure, he said, and motioned me around to the inside of the booth, where I could grab a chair and play with the tool. No sooner did I get around the table, however, than another 'civilian' came up to the table and asked about the rail bender. Carla caught this picture as I was mimicking rolling the bender back and forth along the track, and explaining why this was the best idea since sliced bread.
"Yeah, what he said" says Axel, vaguely alarmed at this enthusiastic non-employee.
Actually, Axel was showing me the differences in manufacturers' tie construction. Turns out that on Aristo track, you need to remove the little screws on the bottom of the ties along the outside of the desired curve. Otherwise, the rail bender will just break the ties. (In contrast, Train-LI makes track that doesn't screw the ties down, but allows them to slide on the rail.)
So Axel mounts the rail bender and slides it back and forth a few times, while I play Ronco kitchen tool salesman (or Vanna White, take your pick). The track curves like it's rubber. Then he turns the tool around and, with a few swipes, straightens the rail out again.
Note the two bubble levels built onto the tool. These aren't necessary to the bending process, but they do allow you to run the tool along your track once you have it laid, and check for straight & level.
Was it Heinlein who said something like "Nobody invented the railroad until it was railroad time. "? (In fact, I think somebody here has used it as a SIG line.) Well, it must be track bender time, because I found two more double track benders being offered at the show.
Massoth, the company that makes a lot of the electronics for LGB engines as well as various accessories, has been advertising their rail bender for a while. I was lucky enough to find Ron Gibson at their booth, and he allowed me to try out the rail bender that he's used to build numerous layouts. It might be a bit larger and heavier than the Train-LI product, and the gauges may be a bit easier to read. I couldn't tell any difference in the way it felt as I was bending track. No bubble levels.
The third rail bender is from somebody called RGSS Hobbies. Like many of the small exhibitors at this years' show, these folks seemed to be retailing a miscellaneous collection of stuff, from custom buildings to AMS rolling stock to -- yes -- rail benders. Here's theirs -
This bender was the lightest of the three, which stands to reason since it's milled from aluminum, with a nicely bezelled finish. Looks simpler from the top than the other two, but I think that's because the various rollers, cam and levers are on the bottom of the chassis. This bender appeared to do just as good a job as the other two in curving sectional track.
I know, more about dual rail benders than you ever wanted to know. I made my decision and bought one, but your mileage may vary. Before we move on though, here's one bit of interesting info that I learned which applies to all of them. If you want to make a curve of a consistent radius through several pieces of track, so that it's as even as a circle of curved sectional track from an LGB or Aristo box, use a jug, or a master drawing, or use one of your pieces as a master for the others, and eyeball it! The gauges on all of these benders can not guarantee a consistent curve through multiple pieces of track. It's not their fault -- it turns out that there's enough variation in ductility from one piece of track to the next so that one will bend just a bit easier, or harder, than another! The gauges will tell you how much tension you're putting on the track, but it's up to you to judge how much is enough.
Jim Carter (pimanjc) graciously loaned me his Train-li rail bender and I am hooked!! Everything that was said about it is true! This thing is even MORE useful than sliced bread!! /DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/tongue.gif
