Extending Track to End of
Module
The original modules had the track terminating a short distance from
the module ends. Then a bridging piece of track was used to connect two
modules. While this approach is workable, the way it was implemented
did not have the tracks ending at the same distance from the ends for
each module. It is clear that the modules were not interchangeable, and
fix is required. Having a track gap at the end of a module also means
our modules are incompatible with modules from other chapters.
The main track should end back from the module ends such that the
distance is just less than half the length of a piece of #2200 K-track.
This is because when you cut the #2200 piece in half, there will be
enough track to allow both pieces to be flush with the end of the
module. You may have to do a little filing to make the fit precise.
Use a Dremmel tool with cut-off disks to cut the track to the
proper length. I recommend two cut-off disks in the Dremmel tool to
reduce the likelihood of them breaking. They break really easily, and
when you use them to cut track, be sure to use eye protection and
position yourself so if they break the won't fly at you (or anyone
else). A #2200 cut in half, is sufficient to extend the track to be
flush with the end of the module.
I then inserted the new half (#2200) pieces such that the cut off ends
were at the end of the modules. This makes it easy to slip these pieces
into the main track with the supplied rail joiners. You may have to
shorten the pieces so they are truly flush with the module ends. I used
a metal straight edge to ensure this. You can shorten the pieces with
the cut-off disks in the Dremmel, or with a metal file, whatever works
for you. These pieces will now have the proper electrical connections
to the main track.
You don't need to be concerned about a good electrical connection
between the end pieces for abutting modules. This is because the
under-table electrical wiring handles this.
Possible gotcha: I had one corner module end where the main track ended
a small distance too short of what was half a #2200 piece. This meant I
had to splice in a small piece of track to make up this shortage.
Fortunately, I had a couple of small pieces left over from the track I
used to make the long main track (I used flex K-Track for most of this,
and the small pieces were cut from where the flex track met in the
middle so the other ends had proper endings for standard electrical
connections. I can tell you it was a pain to insert these small pieces,
but using some code 100/83 rail joiners I had, I was able to establish
a link. To make sure the end piece had electrical connectivity to the
center studs, I soldered a yellow wire underneath to the metal which
connects to the studs. I then ran this wire over to join the yellow
wire serving the center studs of that track
.