Central Valley Turnout kits

[Anonymous]

Has anyone had any experience with Central Valleys switch kits? I'm contemplating building one at my workbench first. The kits are offered in Code 70 & 83 and you supply your own rail. The turnouts can be built curved through one or both legs and are offered in #5 thru #9 . This should make these switches very versatile and allow your trackwork to be more free flowing.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry I can't offer any help, but I'd sure love to hear from you how your experiment turns out. Bob T

[pkeppers]

I'd suggest you try handlaying one on PC board ties, built on the workbench. There are several articles on line about how to do this. I tried building a few last winter and was supprised how well they came out. I needed a curved turnout that I couldnt buy, about 36" inside R and 50" outside R. I found my handbuilt one looks and works well. I know of one guy that has built several CVT kits and he doenst seem real happy with them. They CAN be built to work flawlessly but you'll probably spend as much time as handlaying and the cost is more and flexibility less. It is also suprising how much of a curve you can bend into regular turnouts by cutting the plastic under the rail between the ties.

[Anonymous]

See the article in the latest MR on laying flextrack. The author does exactly what you are suggesting.