Scratch Building #6 Turnouts (was Trout Creek/BK Enterprises Turnouts???

[bob turner]

He is just sneaking out of 3- rail, a little bit at a time. I applaud his struggles - it is what makes a hobby.

[Jay Criswell]

I suppose, if you really want to run both types of wheels, you may have to come up with a happy medium.

Jay

[Seaboard Air Line Fan]

I moved both guard rails out just a bit and it did fix the problem. Like I said, the engine was going thru the frog fine (maybe due to its weight) but the tender want to jump a bit, never derailed.

I used the paper template download from Fast Tracks, what do ya'll do with the paper showing between the ties once you have the turnout finished? Leave it in place, cut from between the ties? Painting over it would be an easy solution.

[Robert]

It's really just a sample pattern for the tie placement. I use to cut them to appropriate lengths, then arrange them on the pattern, lay a long piece of masking tape on them and pick the whole group up and place it on the roadbed where it is intended to go. Well actually that was what I did for the first switch ever but now have another system that goes better. I directed your attention to the switch template when you were first asking questions...as an aid to better understanding.

Mailing the wheel set out in the morning.

Robert

[Seaboard Air Line Fan]

Thanks Robert!!! I'll let you know when they arrive.

Since I was using that rubber mat I glued the template to it then glued the ties on top. Once ballasted it will be hidden, until then I'll throw some paint on it.

[Jay Criswell]

Lou used to use a template that had holes punched in it to signify the ends of the ties. He would lay the template where he wanted the turnout installed and spray paint said template. When he removed the template there would be small dots that were meant to signify the ends of the ties. Following this he would glue the ties, lined up with the dots.

One such template was made, from an opened up manila folder, and was used to guide tie placement on dozens of turnouts.

Good luck,

Jay

[Seaboard Air Line Fan]

Thanks Jay, might give that a try, I have a punch set handy.

[Seaboard Air Line Fan]

2 down, 17 to go!!!

After making the RH turnout I thought I'd do a LH and make the frog myself:

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The only reason I made the frog on the LH turnout was the hi-rail wheels were hitting on the bottom of the frog Jay sent me. I tried to grind it down but didn't want to cut thru it. So far, the LH turnout is working well.

I like the idea of the frog wing rails being part of the closure rails as they were easy to bend. I wish there was a commercial one-piece product just for the frog point and short frog rails, that seems to be the critical part.

[Jay Criswell]

Looking good Bob.

I can see that double slip switch in your future.

Jay

[Seaboard Air Line Fan]

Thanks Jay!!!

I've found that if I don't hold the spike pliers a certain way and go in at a constant angle I bend the spikes.

"Patience Young Grasshopper"

[Jay Criswell]

Bob,

Yeah, that can be a problem. It's kind of a triple edged sword (never heard that said before), Models want smaller, more prototypical spikes, manufacturers want to go as cheap as they can, and suppliers (where I buy my spikes) don't push back so we end up with very thin spikes made from inferior material.

Truthfully, practice and ties that aren't too hard tend to mitigate the problem.

I asked Lou about making his own spikes and he said he would have to order millions, at a substantial cost, to get the manufacturer to make them. He just couldn't afford it.

Good luck,

Jay

[Robert]

Bob D...If I'm not mistaken the most recent spikes I've been using came from Micro-Engineering and were quite reliable especially when using that pair of spiking plier from Micro Mark.

Your turnouts are looking good...and you should be proud of yourself for making the escape from 3 Rail...

Did you try out the wheels I sent you yet?

Robert

[riogrande491]

Nice job!

I really admire those who can hand-lay beautiful track work.

[Seaboard Air Line Fan]

Robert, got a set on a MTH gondola right now, working great!

riogrande 491, Thanks Bob. I don't think I could have gone wrong with all the help from the guys here, thanks to all!

I think I might make 2 more turnouts, then get back to clearing out the room so I can build the new layout.

[Jay Criswell]

FWIW, I too get my spikes from Micro Engineering but keep in mind there are numerous sizes and the larger versions are, obviously, stronger. Again, it's tends to be a trade off.

Jay