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How do I Cut a Stainless Steel Model of a Railroad Track?

Regardless of the type of metal, cutting sections of any kind of model railroad track requires the right tools. If you are working with a flexible track, you may also need to clip the rails unevenly if you are working on a curve. The inside rail will be a little shorter than the outside rail in that case. You may also need to remove a rail tie on the ends and reposition it later.

Things You'll Need

Pencil
Fine point indelible marker
Straight edge
Safety glasses
Rail clippers
Razor Saw
Rotary tool with cutting blade
Fine grooved metal file
Rail nails
White glue

Instructions

Cutting Model Railroad Track
- 1
  Mark the position of the piece of track that you need on your layout board with a pencil or marker by laying out the track, overlapping end sections where the track meets and needs to be cut. The track may need to be cut at an angle if you are cutting for a curve.
- 2
  Mark the intersection points of the rails with a fine-point indelible marker to indicate where to cut the rails.
- 3
  Place the rail section on a solid table and hang the excess part over the edge.
- 4
  Use a pair of rail cutters, a razor saw or a rotary tool with a cutting blade to cut the track at the desired point.
- 5
  Clip away any rail ties that are in the way of the final cut and set aside.
- 6
  File down the cut rail edges by sliding the file gently at a 90 degree angle to the rails. A few strokes should do it.
- 7
  Connect the uncut end of the track section to the rail line and secure with rail nails.
- 8
  Secure a few places along the track with rail nails as you go until you can connect the cut end with the receiving point using rail joiners.
- 9
  Slide the clipped off rail tie under the connection if necessary and secure with rail nails or white glue.

Model Railroads