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…...............--- Soldering ME Code 55 Track to Code 70 ---

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Before COVID I had bought a good amount of ME code 55 flex track. Then I thought I was going to be short and couldn't find any more code 55 but could find some ME code 70. I decided to get it and would use it in the hidden staging area and probably the 'track elevator' and other places where it wouldn't stand out if need be.

I needed a way to transition between the difference in the two sizes of track and came up with what follows. I'm sure this probably isn't new and there are numerous other methods to transition between code 55 and 70. I had the material to do this and it took about 20 minutes to do. I feel happy with the results.

I wanted the top of the rails to be the same height so turned them over, held them down and in place and did a light tack solder to hold them together.

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I managed to not 'undo' the original tack solder by having the iron on its highest temp, using a very small amount of liquid flux and getting on and off the solder joints shown above as quick as possible, just a second or two was needed with the hot iron for the solder to flow. I could of also put a heat-sink clamp on the joint to help keep it together but it wasn't needed. I solder hotter than probably most and get on a joint, watch for it to flow and get off.

I didn't really need the other two ties or the guard rails but since this will be in a hidden area it doesn't distract from looks to have them and they are additional insurance. If the joint is going to be visible and I wasn't happy with the final looks of the joint I wouldn't hesitate to use a smaller center tie and also make the other two ties narrower and omit the guard rails.

The center tie has a slight bend to it as it moves from the code 70 tie to the slightly lower code 55 tie.

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I filed the two rail sections where they join slightly and can't see this joint giving any problems in service.

I didn't need the extra ties and the paint considering were this will end up on the layout but decide to go with the ties and paint to show what it would look like.

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I'll either use the code 55 transition to 70 on this side going into the hidden staging or the other side coming out. I had no problems with the joint while bending the code 55 to the curve near the tunnel entrance.

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