Flexible Track 8867

[DaCheese]

The motor's internal resistance and gearing is going to make a 9V train stop very quickly if they're anything like a "proper" model train. Also bear in mind that even if the motor gets over the flexible track and back onto 9V track, it'll stop unless you connect the track on either side of the flexi with seperate wires.

[OneBrickMedia]

the flexible track, won't it kinda mess up the motor with the gruves in it. I bet it can probably derail or get stuck. I can't really trust that track

[davee123]

the flexible track, won't it kinda mess up the motor with the gruves in it. I bet it can probably derail or get stuck. I can't really trust that track

I got some of the flex track just recently, and was inclined to make a prototype roller coaster out of it:

At the NMRA show in Connecticut, USA, we heard a bit about it from Jamie (Emerald Night designer). He brought a sample of the preliminary flex track, which looked MUCH better (it didn't have the inner rails), but he said that it was easier for trains to derail in testing.

The trickiest part is making sure that the track has a uniform curve. Most of the time, some of your flex track pieces will be at different angles than the rest of the pieces, meaning that the train cars wobble a bit when riding on them (probably what leads to more derailing). Train cars ride MUCH more smoothly on the normal plastic track or 9v track.

Regardless, I expect that these are REALLY handy to have. You don't need many, but they can easily help to make some non-standard angles and lengths in the track. I wouldn't advise building a track solely out of flex track of course, but when used strategically here and there, I can imagine they're very useful.

DaveE

[AndyC]

I got some of the flex track just recently, and was inclined to make a prototype roller coaster out of it:

Wow, that's just awesome! I think I'm going to have to order me a few more boxes of flexitrack now, just so I can try that out.

[Cooper]

I got some of the flex track just recently, and was inclined to make a prototype roller coaster out of it:

Very nice. If that's the "proof of concept" I can only imagine what the full blown version will be like. Very cool. I love the position of the figs too.

[muffinman42]

the flexy track isnt designed to be used by it self, just to put small shifts in the track, for example you might only want to have a small shift in direction instead of the larger shift made by the standard rails, or you might want to build a sideing but the standard track is 4 studs short of what you want, a piece of flexy will solve that.

[Brickthus]

I got some of the flex track just recently, and was inclined to make a prototype roller coaster out of it:

At the NMRA show in Connecticut, USA, we heard a bit about it from Jamie (Emerald Night designer). He brought a sample of the preliminary flex track, which looked MUCH better (it didn't have the inner rails), but he said that it was easier for trains to derail in testing.

I like your video. Good job the cars are quite light, seeing as the track needs good support (I think at least every other track joint should be supported in a span, but every one for heavy trains).

I have an idea to help, which I'll have to spend some time on and take pictures of :)

It was also easier to ballast the prototype track, but I've also made some progress with the production track.

The trickiest part is making sure that the track has a uniform curve. Most of the time, some of your flex track pieces will be at different angles than the rest of the pieces, meaning that the train cars wobble a bit when riding on them (probably what leads to more derailing). Train cars ride MUCH more smoothly on the normal plastic track or 9v track.

Regardless, I expect that these are REALLY handy to have. You don't need many, but they can easily help to make some non-standard angles and lengths in the track. I wouldn't advise building a track solely out of flex track of course, but when used strategically here and there, I can imagine they're very useful.

DaveE

With my original ballast scheme, the prototype track could be fixed at about 80M radius (equivalent to 1 straight between each normal curve). The middle bit needs a new scheme for the production track, but judicious use of plate 1x2 with rail on the inside of the curve can help with the regularity of curvature.

I anticipate using flexi-track in quarter circles of 120M radius, if running tests prove it is sufficiently reliable against derailments. At the moment I'm using the space to build railway modules, so the experiments are on hold.

Mark

[Ferdik]

Oh no! The 7896 train track set seem to be replaced by this: http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=7499&cn=87&d=328

You are now not able to buy ordniary curves! Catastrofy! Flexible tracks is cool for certain things but it should not replace the curve track!

[andythenorth]

Oh no! The 7896 train track set seem to be replaced by this

No catastrophy. There are a zillion curves for sale on Bricklink and eBay. http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?itemID=64723&colorID=85

Average Bricklink selling price £0.25 sterling (about €0.30) per curve. http://www.bricklink.com/catalogPG.asp?P=53400&colorID=85

Currently 3931 are available new on Bricklink.

Edited December 28, 2010 by andythenorth

[adrian_dixon]

Has anyone used the flexitracks and straight tracks to make large radius curves?. ie, one straight, one flexitrack, one straight, one flexitrack etc. I plan to make a large layout around my home when i get enough track to run the trains at full speed. so far i have used the 16 pieces of flexi track that come with the passenger train and about 16 straight pieces of track to test this method out and although it was only about 3 meters of track i was able to link it up using lots of curves in a snaking fashion and run my train on it. I was able to run the passenger train at full speed on the large radius curve section but of course had to slow down for the standard curve radius at the end. I had no derailments and the noise level was about the same as the standard track if not just a tad higher. The train ran smooth with only a slight wobble as could be expected but i would imagine this wobble would be less noticable if the curve radius was made even larger (i had it pulled around as tight as it would go).

All in all i am happy with the way the train ran on this setup and cant wait to get some more track to make a large layout around my house i think the flexi track is a good thing for pf trains if used right.

hope this helps

[lostdriveway]

I just got both the passenger set and cargo set for christmas and I have to say I actually don't mind the flex track! I plan on building a fairly large layout and when I do I'm sure I'll be able to utilise the flex track on a hidden yard or in tunnels etc, and with the new flex track packs that include the straights, I'm much happier to buy that then the curve / straight packs as they are. I have too many curves and not enough straights which seems to be most peoples problem so far!

Also with the set up i currently have on the floor in my lego room, the flex track allowed me to negotiate through and around some desk legs which probably wouldn't have been possible before!

[AndyC]

Average Bricklink selling price £0.25 sterling (about €0.30) per curve. http://www.bricklink.com/catalogPG.asp?P=53400&colorID=85

Currently 3931 are available new on Bricklink.

I do actually wonder if that might have been an influencing factor in this change. AFOLs have long felt there were a surplus of curves in circulation and complained about having to pay for more in packs of straights. TLG may well have decided that kids won't mind just using the flex track and AFOLs are more likely to buy curves cheaply on Bricklink if they want them anyway.

[andythenorth]

TLG may well have decided that kids won't mind just using the flex track and AFOLs are more likely to buy curves cheaply on Bricklink if they want them anyway.

I guess that's about the size of it.

AFOLS may grumble, but as a toy the flex-track is well designed.

- it's reliable, it doesn't seem to have any problems with derailments etc.

- it means any loop will pretty much always join, no need to figure out correct geometries

- the o-rings on recent train wheels are thicker, which solves the problem where RC and early PF trains lose traction on the flex track.

Production wise, it probably makes sense for lego... if the curved and straight track are produced from same mould (as believed) the straights can be sold in the track pack, and the curves used in the train sets.

What would happen if TLG decided to stop producing straights and curves altogether (so just use flex track for everything + LH + RH turnouts)?

[JopieK]

I guess that's about the size of it.

AFOLS may grumble, but as a toy the flex-track is well designed.

- it's reliable, it doesn't seem to have any problems with derailments etc.

- it means any loop will pretty much always join, no need to figure out correct geometries

- the o-rings on recent train wheels are thicker, which solves the problem where RC and early PF trains lose traction on the flex track.

Production wise, it probably makes sense for lego... if the curved and straight track are produced from same mould (as believed) the straights can be sold in the track pack, and the curves used in the train sets.

What would happen if TLG decided to stop producing straights and curves altogether (so just use flex track for everything + LH + RH turnouts)?

They (TLG managers) are just very stupid. I have colleagues asking about the RC cross switch point, etc. They can earn more money if they have more options in store I'm sure...

[Cinderbike]

I guess that's about the size of it.

AFOLS may grumble, but as a toy the flex-track is well designed.

- it's reliable, it doesn't seem to have any problems with derailments etc.

- it means any loop will pretty much always join, no need to figure out correct geometries

- the o-rings on recent train wheels are thicker, which solves the problem where RC and early PF trains lose traction on the flex track.

Production wise, it probably makes sense for lego... if the curved and straight track are produced from same mould (as believed) the straights can be sold in the track pack, and the curves used in the train sets.

What would happen if TLG decided to stop producing straights and curves altogether (so just use flex track for everything + LH + RH turnouts)?

I suppose it's possible that they could phase out straight track as well, if the flexible track sells well enough. I wouldn't mind so much if it was a bit more reliable, and less ugly.

[peterab]

I guess that's about the size of it.

AFOLS may grumble, but as a toy the flex-track is well designed.

- it's reliable, it doesn't seem to have any problems with derailments etc.

- it means any loop will pretty much always join, no need to figure out correct geometries

- the o-rings on recent train wheels are thicker, which solves the problem where RC and early PF trains lose traction on the flex track.

Production wise, it probably makes sense for lego... if the curved and straight track are produced from same mould (as believed) the straights can be sold in the track pack, and the curves used in the train sets.

What would happen if TLG decided to stop producing straights and curves altogether (so just use flex track for everything + LH + RH turnouts)?

While the flex track has its uses, it's not perfect, and can cause derailments at top speed. Then again lego trains can derail on curves at top speed too.

The curves are also sold with the turnouts, four curves to each pair, so even if I never buy a train set again, I'll still be getting more curves when I buy turnouts.

I doubt TLG would ever stop producing straights and curves, since we get 16 flex track to replace 8 curves in the new set I'd guess the cost to produce 2 flex tracks is similar to 1 curve. To replace a complete circle (for example in a train set) you need 64, ie 4 for each curve, so that would appear to be a more expensive way for lego to go.

[Seany]

I have a small ammount of flex track and for me it has its uses, I dont think an entire box is what I want, but the little that comes with 7937 Cargo train is perfect. I dont have a lot of space to build in and the flex helps me overcome the problems that causes, it enables me to build more complex track in tight spaces. Turning that complex join from two feet of normal track to one or two bits for flex.

If I had more space I wouldnt use it, it shifts around quite happily on its own, whether I sit it on a smooth or rough surface it wanders around all by itself when the heavy engines pass through it, this is especially noticable when taking the flex sections at speed.

[andythenorth]

If I had more space I wouldnt use it, it shifts around quite happily on its own

Put plates down the middle - 2x10, 2x12 etc. It's still noisy, but it won't shift around. For long sections...proper straights

I've figured out a pretty good large radius curve setup, using curves + short flex sections + plates to keep the flex in place. Needs a picture to explain it properly though

[Sir E Fullner]

My Grandma gave me some Flexible track for Christmas a year ago. When my engine went over it, it made a loud rumbling noise.