My son got a Scalextric set for Christmas and its only
a matter of time before I build a permanent layout board
for him, so to keep me going in the mean time I have started
experimenting. The first problem area for any child using
Scalextric is mastering the corners and watching your Dad pick
up the cars. So I decided to limit my bending to the floor and
start improving the barriers.
The basic plastic Scalextric barrier was removed and three upright
steel looking posts(borrowed from a 00 train layout) were attached
to the outside of bend. I then used some 40k fencing and attached that
to the posts and painted to a metal, rusty finish. The aim of the fence
was to stop those high speed cars that become airborne. Oh I also added
to lengths of cable wire through the top parts of the posts.
I then added an after market tyre wall made from foam to absorb the
impact of the cars and gently bounce them back towards the track.
Finally I added a fine gravel bed of glued down sand which was then sealed
over. This has the effect of giving the cars more traction when they
start to slide away on the bend.
Anyway that’s one bend section done, now onto the other 15 !!!