Our pre-fab track (sold in 9-foot sections) is supplied with 1/2 inch high rail, and 56 plastic UV resistant ties with tie plates and spikes molded into them.

The spikes slide over the foot of the rail to hold it in place, and the ties are specific for 4-3/4 inch gauge. A 9 foot section of track can be assembled in about 10 minutes. You can then simply separate the ties on one side to form the radius of curve that you want. No rail bending is required.

The minimum radius for our trains is a 10 ft radius, but they are happiest on no less that a 20 ft radius. The passenger car trains will handle a 20 ft radius, but prefer something more like 25 ft radius. The rail joiners are extruded aluminum, and have the 1/8 holes already punched in them. You need 2 per rail joint. You can use 4-40 1/2 inch long bolts to attach them, which can be purchased in your local hardware store.

The photos below show prefab track that has been in place for 13 years, in the desert conditions of Redlands, California, where temperatures often exceed 120 degrees F.

Note: you need 4 rail joiners per section. We have them available for 1.25 USD each.