SETUP CHECKLIST

 

All the effort devoted to sound module construction and the building of great trackwork can be defeated by a failure to observe care in joining modules together at setups.  Here is a short list of things to check when aligning and leveling modules and installing bridge rails.

 

Caution:  If repair or adjustment is required on a module, let the module owner know and have him/her take the necessary action.  Don't do it yourself unless you are specifically asked to do so.

 

Caution:  As always, be extremely careful not to disturb details on modules as a setup is being assembled.  Take time to notice what's close by before doing anything.

 

1.    Take the time to set the height and level the adjoining modules before working on any of the following checklist items.  Nothing will work well if adjoining modules are not level with each other.  Height adjustments at one end of a module will nearly always affect the height at the other end.  Care taken at this step will make the following checks much easier.

 

2.      Check to make sure track on adjoining modules is aligned horizontally (from side-to-side).  Sight down the track from one direction and the other to see that the rails at module joints are in alignment with each other.  Avoid any misalignment that will create a jog to one side or the other.  Sometimes a straight edge can be used, but take great care not to dislodge the rails at module ends. 

 

3.      Check to make sure track on adjoining modules is aligned vertically (up and down).  This is a harder check to make, especially since it's not uncommon for track to rise up or fall off a bit at module ends.  Use a straight edge held against the rail tops if it is safe to do so.  I use a flat high-quality block of wood that is 1-1/2" wide and 5-1/2" long that is cut very cleanly with a fine bladed saw.  Sliding this block back and forth across the module joint will immediately indicate which rail ends are high or low relative to the other.  I make adjustments in height until the sound made when sliding the block back and forth is the same.

 

4.      Check to make sure that the track on adjoining modules is level.  If the track on adjoining modules isn't level, a twist at the bridge rails will occur.  The best way to check for this is to sight across the bridge rails after they are installed.  Because occasionally track at module ends drops off to one side or the other, a module end plate might end up tilted one way or the other to compensate for a slight twist in the track at the module end.

 

5.      Clamp modules together tightly.  It's not unusual for modules to be bumped or jostled while setting up or during a setup.  This is especially true for modules that provide a passageway from one side of the module to the other.  Clamping the module joints tightly will help.  If in doubt, use more than one clamp.

 

6.      Make sure that there is room for the track joiners.  If a module fails to provide room for track joiners underneath the rails at module ends, the bridge rails will bump up and the rail on the module will be placed under stress.  This especially important if thicker, insulating joiners are used.

 

7.      Use bridge rails that match the size of the rail on the adjoining modules.  This sounds too obvious to mention, but I have replaced mis-matched bridge rails more than a times.

 

8.      Use bridge rails of the proper length.  By this I don't mean exactly 2" long bridge rails.  Rather I mean bridge rails that leave only a small gap at either end, being neither too long nor too short.  Cut custom lengths if necessary.  Smoother running will be the result.