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Tyco Pro track with broken tabs - Is there a fix?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 18, 2019 3:33 pm
by mike116
I have an old Tyco Pro set. Some of the track pieces (specifically the curves) have one broken tab. The track pieces still seem to work (they have an electrical connection) but they're not smooth and the cars tend to hiccup right at those spots (or worse they de-slot). Is there any fix for this that anyone has used effectively?

Thanks.

Mike

Re: Tyco Pro track with broken tabs - Is there a fix?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 18, 2019 4:59 pm
by RichD
Aurora made steel clips to hold their track sections together, those might work with Tyco track. The clips are still available, but they can be rather expensive. JAG Hobbies sells two for $.75. NCP Hobbies has 24 for $6.98. They would be a good solution if you don't need a lot of them.

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Re: Tyco Pro track with broken tabs - Is there a fix?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 18, 2019 6:28 pm
by mattb
There will be many places where you connect 2-3 curve tracks together for every type of layout you try, same with straight track. You may consider just gluing those broken sections together. You can lay them upside down, cut some kind of plastic strips to fit underneath, squirt a little superglue on, press the bridge strips to the bottom of the tracks, wait a minute or two and turn over a solid section of tracks with smooth joints.

Re: Tyco Pro track with broken tabs - Is there a fix?

PostPosted: Mon Feb 18, 2019 9:47 pm
by mike116
Perfect. Thanks.

Re: Tyco Pro track with broken tabs - Is there a fix?

PostPosted: Tue Feb 19, 2019 7:42 am
by TuscoTodd
Mike - Tyco actually made their own repair clips as well - I am not sure of a current source for them - but the new TOMY ones look very similar - but the spread may be different?
Here are pictures of the Tyco clips:

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And for comparison sake - here is a picture of the new TOMY clips - not sure how the gap between the arms compares, but the design looks very similar. They are available via multiple sources, at a reasonable price and may be worth picking up to try? (note they do press on HARD - but on the AFX track they make the joint nearly seamless!)

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Re: Tyco Pro track with broken tabs - Is there a fix?

PostPosted: Tue Feb 19, 2019 3:14 pm
by mike116
Great! Thanks.

Re: Tyco Pro track with broken tabs - Is there a fix?

PostPosted: Sat Mar 02, 2019 8:31 pm
by Tycosaur
The Aurora clips held the pieces tighter than the Tyco clips. You can cut the Aurora clips in half with a pair of tin snips to get two from one.