Hand Laid Track Jigs

[Anonymous]

I am in the process of rebuilding my N Scale layout. Most of my old turnouts can not be used. I came across an ad for Fast-Track construction jigs for turnouts. I would like to hear from anyone who has used them.

[Big_Boy_4005]

I have done a lot of hand laying over the years, though never in N. I have never used or liked jigs. I just use the regular rail gauges. They allow you to create custom turnouts for any situation.

[Anonymous]

Having finally begun building the N Scale Muddy Creek RR, it instantly became clear that the old flextrack and cork roadbed that I so carefully recycled & cleaned looks totally out of place, especially on the inital logging portion. The prototype used light rail laid on rough ties cut in the forest and often ballasted with dirt. So I'm taking up the track & will attempt hand-laying.

Looking into the how-to articles on-line, a lot of the mystery is gone but turnouts still seem to be the big challange and anything that helps is worth a try.

I'm also considering buying the Fast-Track turnout jig. I've never handlaid track so the jig looks like it will take much of the uncertainty out of the mix. And given the price of Peco turnouts, this might pay for itself in no time. I'm going to first try building a wye using a template and track gauges since buying a jig for a seldom used condition seems like an unnecessary expense. If it is super easy, then I'll try the turnouts without a jig. But for the large number of turnouts I need, it looks like a big timesaver.

Since I never see used jigs for sale, I'd guess that those who've bought them must find them worth holding on to. I'd be interested in hearing from someone who actually used the N Scale Fast-Track or similar jig, whether they liked it or not.

Wayne