Randy, I had a similar experience with rigging AB brakes on boxcars.
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The first one I did, over twenty years ago, was a breeze. Since then, none of them has been easy.
Now I use a simplified brake rig, and it works well for me. It looks good in side shots, no one needs to know what is annacurate when viewed from the bottom.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Funny thing about Fast Tracks turnouts and me. The very first one I made came out darn near perfect. No matter how much I tried to force a truck through it skewed, trying to pick a poitn or the frog, it just wouldn't derail.
Great - so I started a second one. I made 5 frogs before I got one anywhere near as good as the first one. I don't knwo how many point rails I filed with the PointForm tool. Never got a nice one. I ended up packing it all away and there it sits, in a box, a #6 fixture cut for Atlas Code 83 rail, PointForm tool, and a few other bits. And a huge supply of PCB ties (I did use a few for fill in on my last layout). Despite seeing them made in person at the NTS, despite watching the videos over and over again, despite having some experience with machining and how fixtures are used - it just isn't for me. My last layout only had about a dozen turnouts, at the rate I was making them with Fast Tracks, I wouldn;t have finished laying all the track yet. I think the plan I have no for my lower deck already had 30 or more, and that just the main and the yard, no industries. And staging loop/yard for the lower level. Unless I can churn out a turnout per hour, I won;t live long enough to hand lay them all.
I still can;t figure out how the first one came out so great, I think I did make 2 attempts at a frog before I got a good one, butit was REALLY good. But, if it works for you - they are pretty much bulletproof, and there certainly is a level of satisfaction in knowing you made it yourself.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Tom Bryant_MR Last two days have been productive! Got roadbed down and auxillary electrical switch/outlet combo wired. First turnout, Fast Tracks #6, being fitted. Plan for tomorrow is to lay more roadbed so that I can put some track down to connect the turnout. Getting excited to have first train on track and powered up. :-)
Last two days have been productive!
Got roadbed down and auxillary electrical switch/outlet combo wired.
First turnout, Fast Tracks #6, being fitted.
Plan for tomorrow is to lay more roadbed so that I can put some track down to connect the turnout. Getting excited to have first train on track and powered up.
:-)
Noticed something. How much distance is the turnout that's drawn connecting to the curve on the left? If you have space, I'd move that turnout farther away from that curve, so as not to create an s-curve.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
Nice.
I love the beginnings of a new project. Yours looks like a good one.
The turnout looks really good. I probably will never build my own turnout, but I admire what you have done.
Tom