"Larry Blanchard" wrote in message
...
I've been having an email discussion with several model railroaders who
are convinced that wood changes length with humidity. It must, because
their track is developing kinks :-).

I've quoted websites and books that prove they're wrong, but it doesn't
faze the true believers. Seems politics and religion aren't the only
areas in which opinion trumps facts :-).

OK, it does move a little - according to the wood handbook 0.1%-0.2% from
totally green to over dry. That's about 0.1" in 8'. And I doubt they're
using green wood :-).

OTOH, some of the same folks are convinced that Homasote (a pressed paper
product) does not move from wet to dry.

You meet the nicest people on a keyboard :-).

--
Intelligence is an experiment that failed - G. B. Shaw

Have they ruled out the metal rails of the track changing length
with changing temperature? Some RR'ers solder the track section
joints for better electrical performance and some don't. Those that
don't have some expansion room in the joints to accommodate the
rails delta-L.
Art