Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Walthers Turnouts - Rail Connectors

1108 views
2 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Walthers Turnouts - Rail Connectors
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 22, 2007 10:10 PM

What do most people do to accomodate the placement of the rail connector onto the end of a walthers turnout?  There just doesn't seem to be enough room after the last tie to slide the connector on enough.

Peco eliminates this problem by undercutting the last tie so the connector slides bewtween the rail and tie.  Atlas (least prototypical) indents the last tie creating a gap to install the connector.

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Southwest US
  • 12,914 posts
Posted by tomikawaTT on Saturday, June 23, 2007 1:19 AM

I undercut the ties myself, on Atlas code 100 flex, code 83 flex and Shinohara flex.  A couple of seconds with a #11 blade is almost always sufficient.

OTOH, I don't have to worry about plastic turnout ties.  All of my specialwork is hand laid on wood ties.

Another way to deal with plastic ties, flex or turnout, is to remove the ties needed to clear the rail joiners, undercut them away from the rails (a small half-round file is useful) and slide them back into place.  If they don't want to stay where you want them, a small dab of clear caulk on the underside will eliminate their tendency to wander.

Hope this helps.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Overland Park, KS
  • 343 posts
Posted by dadret on Saturday, June 23, 2007 7:32 AM
I had to remove the last couple of ties to use the rail joiners by cutting them off with a hobby knife.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!