Hand Laying Turnouts

[Anonymous]

I need to put in a curved turnout. I tried the Peco curved one, but the new one needs to large a radius for what I have planned. I did have the older smaller one, but that got damaged. So anyone have a direction they could send me to build my own? Thanks to all.

[Anonymous]

The NMRA magazine just concluded a series on hand laying track which would get you started. I believe you are going to need to seek the advice of an expert in geometry to properly layout a curved turnout. The NMRA has Special Intrest Groups which could assist you there as well. It would seem to me that if you have progressed so far in the hobby that you are considering constructing your own curved turnout, you should probably join the NMRA anyway. I have been quite satisfied and think it is worth the modest fees.

Good Luck - Ed

[Sperandeo]

My favorite reference on building turnouts is Tony Koester's "Building a turnout from scratch" in the December 1989 MODEL RAILROADER, and reprinted in the Kalmbach book, "Trackwork and Lineside Detail." This shows a standard turnout, but I use the same methods to build curved turnouts. You might also want to refer to a Workshop item Tony contributed called "Laying out curved turnouts" on page 37 of our November 1998 issue.

Many people also like the classic Jack Work article, "Birth of a turnout," in the April 1963 MR, pages 43-50. This article shows the construction of a curved turnout, though again it's methods would also work for standard turnouts. This issue is out of print, of course, but photocopies may be ordered from [e-mail].

For those going to the NMRA convention in St. Louis next month, I'll be presenting clinics on how to handlay turnouts on Friday and Saturday mornings.

Good luck,

Andy Sperandeo
MODEL RAILROADER Magazine
________________________________

[Anonymous]

I can think of two options:
First, try a Shinohara large radius curved turnout to save time.
Second, if you must build a turnout, an additional information source is available from the NMRA Video "Build Your Own Turnouts", a clinic by Gil Frietag. It's a 44 min VHS tape and though not comprehensive, gives another way to accomplish what you might be looking for. I have built a large radius curved turnout myself, and the biggest challenge is just getting started. Lay out the larger outside curve rail, then the smaller inner rail, then build the remainder, keeping all in guage as you go. Mine was not "professional" quality, but it worked and looked good. All the references mentioned in replies to your question will give you alternate assembly methods and they are all well worth researching before making your final decision how to proceed. Best wishes and have fun.