Hi Adrian,

I was interested in your post.

Are you into Z track?

Regards,

Philip

ADrian, be v. Careful of the track pins, it is very easy to deform the track. ( I have the cap and tee shirt). Use PVA glue or Hot glue as both easy to take up. as easy to take up if needed

I used a pin vice to pre-drill holes and then pushed in the Marklin Z scale nails using tweezers to attach track to my Cortina layout. It was a painstaking and time consuming task.

Edited by user 21 March 2022 15:07:22(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Hi
Im also in the process of wondering how to secure the tracks. Having purchased some M nails, I too am not sure of their ability. Plus if I need to raise the track, a nail is not as easy to remove as a screw.

I’ve had a look at the small screws but can only find them in the USA. The packets containing the screws appear to be written in German, so is there a European supplier, or is the USA the sole provider?

Many thanks
Mike

The Marklin nail is 0.55mm x 8.5mm 1.25mm head ∅. The Peco nail is 0.60mm x 14mm 1.5mm head ∅.

The Peco nail head does look a touch large on the sleeper, but it is acceptable.

Pre push a nail through the sleeper hole with the sleeper pre warmed in your hand, as holes are a bit tight, or at least warm up a touch with hair dryer, you don't need to over do the heating. If you need holes in other sleepers pre-drill with 0.5mm drill bit in a pin vise.

Because the Peco nail is so long, if you need push it into a timber base you will need to pre-drill holes or you will end up bending a few nails & breaking sleepers getting them in. You don't need the nails in so tight like a masonry anchor.

You can cut them shorter, but file or Dremel a point.


P.S. What gradient do have at the back. If you raise all the track a bit, then lower the lower rear track to split the gradient between the upper and lower level. Any gradient more than 2.5% will give you headaches later on. Just avoid it like the plague.

Marklin nail left, Peco nail right.



I have a few old Marklin nails and they were 5.5mm long. Depending how tough the timer is, a 0.4mm pilot hole for the Marklin nail will help.

Also use a nail punch, trying to hit the nail directly will cause you not to hit it square.

The gradient uses standard Marklin pillars at the moment and so ends up 40mm above the base. To get the height quickly the pillared are every 55mm (half straight). I have tested it with a Bo Bo electric and a 4-6-2 steamer and both climb it well. I plan to use only a rail bus or an engine and one thunder box up there as it is quite steep.

Mike