Rail Clamps (Krause Clamps) for precise model railway construction

Laying flex track on your model railway layout can be a challenge, as the rails tend to return to their original position. This is where rail clamps, also known as Krause clamps, come into play. These tried-and-tested aids, used in model making for over 30 years, reliably tension and fix your flex track, allowing you to shape and lay it precisely.

The rail clamps are made of high-quality brass, guaranteeing exceptionally high durability and longevity. They are available in various versions for common gauges:

• Gauge H0
• Gauge TT / H0m
• Gauge N / H0e
• Gauge Z

Step-by-step guide to using rail clamps

Using the rail clamps is incredibly simple and allows even beginners to achieve precise results:

• Step 1: Initial Positioning
  First, roughly place the flex track on your model railway layout in the desired initial position.
• Step 2: Attach first clamp
  Insert the rail clamp at the end of the flex track and tighten it. This is easily done with the included small hexagonal key or, ideally, with a ball-head screwdriver. The advantage of a ball-head screwdriver is that you can also set an angle in hard-to-reach areas of the track bed and tighten the screw comfortably.
• Step 3: Fixing the rail profiles
  The clamp now securely fixes both rail profiles in the sleeper base, ensuring they maintain their position and cannot slip.
• Step 4: Adjust geometry and attach second clamp
  Now shape the track into the final radius or desired form, as it will be permanently fixed later (glued, nailed, or screwed). Attach the second rail clamp at the other end of the track and tighten it as well. The track is now fixed in the desired position and can no longer spring back to its original state. Tip: For a clean curve, cut flex tracks in staggered S-curves, not straight, to avoid derailments.
• Special case S-shape
  For laying an S-shape, you will need a total of three rail clamps.

The rail clamps are suitable for all common track systems from manufacturers such as Tillig, Roco, Peco, or Märklin, making them a universal solution for your model railway construction.

Video tutorial for using rail clamps: