Barry Melek Electric Train Sets

Pieces Track

The Flexible Model Train Track

The most popular type of model train track used today is the flexible track or flex track for short. This component is available for just about every type of model train on the market and is typically produced in three-foot pieces. Although it is actually flexible in nature, the flex track is fairly firm and gives the necessary support once it is securely in place. In other words, once this type of track is molded into a particular shape, it will retain that shape as the model train travels over it.

One of the advantages of the flexible track is that it requires fewer joints compared to other conventional tracks. The hobbyist no longer needs the typical 9 inch sectional track. Instead, this piece can now be replaced with a three-foot flexible track section. The fact that there are less joints on a flexible track means that the likelihood of the set up developing mechanical problems is greatly reduced, not to mention the added convenience of utilizing less pieces of train track to complete the railroad layout.

Another significant advantage is the fact that flexible tracks are able to easily bend into the preferred radius and can curve into various shapes depending on the users' preference. This greatly enhances the experience designing the model train layout rather than simply working with traditional train tracks. In addition, the adjustable nature of the flex track is especially useful when accommodating a model train within a limited or confined physical space.

Users of flexible model train tracks need to take some precaution when installing and using them; if not used properly they could result in some unintended consequences. For instance, the fact that users can easily adjust the curves of the track enables individuals to create sharp curves, which could cause train derailment. An outline of the appropriate track radius should be traced on the surface before laying the flexible track. This is a simple process that should be followed when installing a flexible track, but is not always necessary with the other types of rigid tracks.

As one can see, sufficient track planning is necessary and requires plenty of thought in order to develop a good circuit that is exciting as well as problem free. It should also be able to reflect the theme of the whole set up. The flexible model can be used to create either a continuous railroad or one that goes back and forth, that is, from one point to another and back. However, due to its adaptable nature, the flex track provides the hobbyist with the ability to design truly creative track designs and layouts.

When setting up this kind of track, all the guidelines should be followed carefully in order to ensure that there are no mishaps later on. That said, the benefits of the flexible track are plenty and outweigh any drawbacks that it may have. The flex track will definitely offer model train fans greater choice and more entertainment.

About the Author

Gabriel O. Delaney is a model train enthusiast.  He is also the author of "Model Train Secrets Exposed" and a free email mini-course "Secrets of Successful Model Railroading".  For more information, visit his website, UltimateModelTrainTips.com.

Pieces $12.99 Track Listing: 1. One Story to Tell, 2. Jesus Saves, 3. It's Better, 4. More Like Jesus, 5. I'm Not the Same, 6. Don't Let Who You Are Keep You Away, 7. He Sees Me Through the Blood, 8. I Choose to Believe, 9. Pieces, 10. This Is How It Feels to Be Free

Pieces (Bonus Track) (Japan) $49.99 Track Listing: 1. Back in Love, 2. Do It Your Way, 3. Chance to Win, 4. Saturday Night, 5. Dancing with Tears in My Eyes, 6. Feel the Fire, 7. Magic Breeze, 8. Tears Falling, 9. Sounds Like a Melody, 10. Get It All, 11. Lonely

Pieces (Bonus Track) (Jpn) $47.49 Marquee Inc. Japan:10424

Neon Snap Track - 352 Pieces $30.95 Create a winding roadway or a figure 8 racetrack with this exciting new flexible track that snaps together in an infinite variety of configurations! Requires 2 AA batteries not included. Ages 4 years and up.

Bits & Pieces $6.99 Track Listing: 1. You Could, 2. If I Could Fly, 3. Bits & Pieces, 4. Moving On, 5. I Lied, 6. Tokada

Dismember - Pieces $28.78 Track Listing: Intro - (studio) Carnal Tomb (live) (bonus Track) - (studio) Skin Her Alive (live) (bonus Track) - (studio) Case # Obscene (live) (bonus Track) - (studio) I Wish You Hell (live) (bonus Track) - (studio) Bleed For Me (live) (bonus Track) - (studio) Deranged From Blood (live) (bonus Track) - (studio) Pieces - (studio) I Wish You Hell - (studio) Carnal Tomb - (studio) Soon To Be Dead - (studio) Torn Apart (live) (bonus Track) - (studio) Pieces (live) (bonus Track) - (studio) Reborn In Blasphemy (live) (bonus Track) - (studio) Override (live) (bonus Track) - (studio)

Trading Pieces $13.99 Track Listing: (No track list available), 1. Carnivorous Ways, 2. Born Then Torn Apart, 3. Trading Pieces, 4. Hunting Humans, 5. Impious Offerings, 6. Acid Troops, 7. Deeds of Flesh, 8. Erected on Stakes, 9. Chunks in the Shower, 10. Blasted

Bigjigs Track Side Figure Block Expansion Set (25 pieces) $16 Bigjigs Track Side Figure Block Expansion Set (25 pieces) Gender: Unisex

Pieces of Primal Expressionism $17.99 Track Listing: 1. Sleeping Star, The, 2. Fragments and Pieces

Bachmann Williams BAC00221 072 Curved Track 8 Pieces $51.13 Williams O scale 3rail track is made from quality materials and is compatible with most other manufactures 3rail track. It is also packaged in a handy storage box. Each box comes with 8 pieces of track. 16 Pieces create a complete 72 inch diameter circle. All metal ties and rails. Five ties per section. Solid steel track pins. Classic tinplate style track. Shipped in a handy storage box.

Pieces of Nothing $14.99 Track Listing: 1. Hear Their Own, 2. Way I Fall, The, 3. Peril of Life, 4. When the End Is Now, 5. Pieces of Nothing, 6. Colored Souls, 7. Comfort in Grief, 8. Ash and Dust, 9. Point, 10. In Tears of Depravity

Pieces of Eight $4.99 Track Listing: 1. Great White Hope, 2. I'm O.K., 3. Sing for the Day, 4. Message, The, 5. Lords of the Ring, 6. Blue Collar Man, 7. Queen of Spades, 8. Renegade, 9. Pieces of Eight, 10. Aku Aku

Pieces for Guitar $14.99 Track Listing: 1. G.E.B. - (In Memory Of My Father George Edward Bailev), 2. Haught, 3. Three Pieces for Guitar, 4. Bits, 5. Practising: Wow & Stereo, 6. Improvisation on Guitar Piece No. 1, 7. Improvisation on Guitar Piece No. 2

Pieces of Dreams $11.99 Track Listing: 1. Pieces of Dreams, 2. I Know It's You, 3. Deep in Love, 4. Midnight and You, 5. Evil, 6. Blanket on the Beach, 7. I'm in Love, 8. Pieces of Dreams (previously unreleased, Take 5 - Alternate, alternate take), 9. Blanket on the Beach (previously unreleased, Take 11 - Alternate, alternate take), 10. I'm in Love (previously unreleased, Take 9 - Alternate, alternate take)

Wacky Track $19.99 Flexible Wacky Track twists and turns for easy building. Patent pending on this exciting track. Includes two pieces of Wacky Track, each 14 inches long. Compatible with Brio wooden rail systems. Ages 3 yrs. +.

Missing Pieces $9.99 Track Listing: 1. Day in Day Out, 2. Missing Pieces - (featuring Joe Corcoran), 3. Painkiller - (featuring Rune Westberg/Danny Levin), 4. One More Second Chance - (featuring Rune Westberg), 5. Water's Edge, The, 6. Another Day - (featuring Danny Levin), 7. Better Than Happiness, 8. Whatever You Get - (featuring The Backyard Karma Choir), 9. Million Miles, 10. Slings & Arrows - (featuring Cameron Stone)

Pieces of You $4.99 Track Listing: 1. Who Will Save Your Soul, 2. Pieces of You, 3. Little Sister, 4. Foolish Games, 5. Near You Always, 6. Painters, 7. Morning Song, 8. Adrian, 9. I'm Sensitive, 10. You Were Meant for Me, 11. Don't, 12. Daddy, 13. Angel Standing By, 14. Amen

Pieces of a Man $13.99 Track Listing: 1. Revolution Will Not Be Televised, The, 2. Save the Children, 3. Lady Day and John Coltrane, 4. Home Is Where the Hatred Is, 5. When You Are Who You Are, 6. I Think I'll Call It Morning, 7. Pieces of a Man, 8. Sign of the Ages, A, 9. Or Down You Fall, 10. Needle's Eye, The, 11. Prisoner, The

In Pieces Lie... $11.99 Track Listing: 1. Gone Tomorrow, 2. No Reward, 3. Tear From Me, 4. Severance, 5. Filthy Hands

Jimmie Johnson - 2006 Brickyard - Framed 8x10 Photograph with Brick and Track Pieces $77.99 This collectible celebrates Jimmie Johnson winning the 2006 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard- Jimmie's 1st at The Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This collectible contains an 8x10 photo- actual pieces of track and authentic- original 1909 brick from the start/finish line at IMS. Officially licensed by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and has a Limited Edition of 1000. Comes with a certificate of authenticity with tamper-proof hologram from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Mounted Memories guaranteeing that the pieces of brick and track are authentic and are provided exclusively to Mounted Memories directly from the IMS.

Pieces of Peace - Pieces of Peace [3/30] $38.44 Disc 0:No track list available

Dockstader: Eight Electronic Pieces $14.99 Track Listing: 1. Electronic Pieces (8): [Part 1] - (featuring Tod Dockstader), 2. Electronic Pieces (8): [Part 2] - (featuring Tod Dockstader), 3. Electronic Pieces (8): [Part 3] - (featuring Tod Dockstader), 4. Electronic Pieces (8): [Part 4] - (featuring Tod Dockstader), 5. Electronic Pieces (8): [Part 5] - (featuring Tod Dockstader), 6. Electronic Pieces (8): [Part 6] - (featuring Tod Dockstader), 7. Electronic Pieces (8): [Part 7] - (featuring Tod Dockstader), 8. Electronic Pieces (8): [Part 8] - (featuring Tod Dockstader)

Easy Pieces $12.99 Track Listing: 1. Rich, 2. Why I Love Country Music, 3. Pretty Gone, 4. Grace, 5. Cut Me Down, 6. Brand New Friend, 7. Lost Weekend, 8. James, 9. Minor Character, 10. Perfect Blue

Pieces of Peace $12.99 Track Listing: 1. Cease Fire, 2. Pollution, 3. Flunky for Your Love, 4. I Still Care, 5. Peace & Blessings, 6. Yesterday's Visions, 7. Pollution - (instrumental), 8. Yesterday's Visions - (alternate take, instrumental)

Twelve Pieces $14.99 Track Listing: 1. Old Fashion, 2. Don't Break Step, 3. Lost in Little Spain, 4. Piece, 5. It's Done, 6. Square Brown, 7. Where Am I?, 8. Kannada, 9. Mike's 'Piece', 10. Old Men's Home, 11. All in a Row, 12. Same New Story, The

In A Million Pieces $12.99 Track Listing: 1. New Eyes Open, 2. Lo Zee Rose, 3. Let It Go, 4. Alive or Dead, 5. Bordering, 6. Impossible, 7. Wired, 8. Not What I Wanna Do, 9. All We Can Count On, 10. Out of Tune, 11. Longshot, 12. Tide Is Out, The

Peace Pieces $11.99 Track Listing: 1. Peri's Scope, 2. Funkallero, 3. Interplay, 4. Turn Out the Stars, 5. We Will Meet Again, 6. Blue in Green, 7. Waltz for Debby, 8. Very Early, 9. Peace Piece

Lost Pieces $14.99 Track Listing: 1. Eclipse, 2. After the Dream, 3. Mojave at the Tree, 4. Since We Are Away, 5. Full Moon Prophesy, 6. Red Shore, 7. Repose, 8. Three Reptiles Wait at the Opening to the Underworld, 9. Expanding Again, 10. Closer

Mood Pieces $14.99 Track Listing: (No track list available), 1. Fat and AB Intro, 2. Blast off into Infinity, 3. I'm from a Wicked, 4. Zulu Inter., 5. Switch the Station, 6. Rolling in My Car, 7. Rapcha', 8. Ghetto Children Inter., 9. 215 Inter., 10. Left Hand Side, 11. My Experience Is..., 12. Ooh I'm a Getcha', 13. Contradictshun, 14. Inside Your Eyes, 15. Torn, 16. Somethin' About This Music, 17. Eve Inter., 18. We're Serious Outro

Thomas the Tank - Wacky Track $19.99 Flexible Wacky Track twists and turns for easy building. Includes two pieces of Wacky Track, each 14 inches long.

Jeff Gordon Framed Brickyard Panoramic with Autographed Plate, Brick, and Track Pieces $298.99 The Brickyard panoramic collectible has been personally hand signed by Jeff Gordon. It features a piece of brick and track from the start finish line at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway- an 8x20 panoramic photo and two 5x7 photos from the post race celebration. The piece is double matted and framed and includes a descriptive plate about the event. Each collectible comes with an autograph an individually numbered; tamper evident hologram from Mounted Memories and a statement of authenticity from Mounted Memories and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway guaranteeing that the pieces of brick and track are authentic. Measures approximately 26 1/4" x 22 1/4" x 1 1/2".