I had a serious problem with my long (80') straight a ways. During the winter the rails would pull out of the champ on rail joiners. I would get a gap of a half of an inch. This expansion joint has solved the problem.  The engines and cars have no problem crossing the joint winter or summer.

John Foley

Note #1.  Place the rail in a vice and file a section about ¾" long to half the width of the rail.  Make four rail ends.

Note #2.  Use four brass slip-on rail joiners and bend down the tab on one end of each one. Line then up on a scrap piece of rail and solder the two tabs together.  If your joiners don't have tabs, then solder a piece of brass on the bottom.

Note #3.  Assemble as shown.

Note #4.  Pin one end of the rail joiner to the rail to prevent movement.

Note #5.  Add jumper wires around the expansion joint to use track power.