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Track Turnouts

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  • Member since
    December 2009
  • 32 posts
Track Turnouts
Posted by Broken Tie on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 4:36 PM

The June MR had an article on making moving frog turnouts. I have used this type of turnout for years, but only where it is critical to guarantee no derailments like in the far reaches of my hidden storage.  My hidden storage is double-ended and going in one direction accesses the easter most part of my railroad, while going in the other direction ends of on the western reaches of my railroad.  This setup gives me the hidden storage of complete trains that I need; and provides for continuous running that I like from time to time.

With that said, I can cut the BS and get to the point.  The easiest way in the world to get moveable frog turnouts is to purchase an old unbuilt Tru-Scale turnout.  They came in No.4 and No.6 sizes.  They were unbuilt kits and I have found that I can use the paper template that comes with each kit to create copies; then glue a 1/4 inch square piece of wood the full length of the pattern. Using a single edge razor blade, I cut between every other tie on the paper template making a jig that is flexible and can be used for making curved turnouts.  I put glue on a flat surface; bend the 1/4 inch stick to the rail curvature I need; press the template into the glue; then carefully remove the stick.  I glue my patterns on Upson board; a material strong enough to hold the rail to the pattern while the turnout is being cut and contructed, but easy to lift off once the turnout is completed.  I solder straps over the top of a completed turnout; then lift it off the pattern and place it in position on ties on the railroad.  Once it is spiked down; the straps are removed; the excess solder filed off and the turnout motor hooked up.  With practice; I have been able to construct flawless curved turnouts that assure no derailments where a  frog usually is located. This system works equally well with straight turnouts.  The stick and the cutting of the template with  a razor blade is uneccessary with a straight turnout, but where total smoothness of operation where the fixed frog would be is a requirement; I can recommend this type of turnout.

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