Help with hand laid track

[joecool1212]

[8D]I want to learn about hand laid track. I have to make a few crossings through a curved track. Does anyone know any good sources of info, books, videos, or issues of any publications that would help. I once saw a good video on building a switch track but I dont know where it came from, or where to find this stuff. Joe[8D]

[nfmisso]

Take a look at these references:
http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=S&cmdtext=HANDLAYING+TRACK&MAG=ANY&output=3&sort=2

[RhB_HJ]

Joe,

Get yourself a copy of "Trackwork Handbook" by Paul Mallery. Shows you more about track, including crossings[;)], handlaying, geometry etc. etc. than any other book I have in my library. The revised edition I have dates from 1977 and except for some newfangled materials like PCB ties, it is as applicable today as it was 26 years ago.

BTW my first handlaid project was a curved crossover, the required radii were not commercially available. I have since built hundreds of turnouts and laid hundreds of feet of track in various scales.
Lots of fun! If at the end of the day things don't work as intended i.e. equipment derails, you'll know just who's butt to kick. Turning out more reliable track than the commercial variety is the goal! Otherwise it wouldn't really justify the time required.

[joecool1212]

HJ Thanks, i've always wanted to learn about hand laid track but untill now did'nt need to. I've always heard if done right it is better than commercial. I have always used peco switch tracks with only one problem in about 10 years. (one broke) but now I have a better track plan and need some wierd stuff. It looks like fun. Laying track and wiring are the fun areas for me. Thanks For the info. Also Nigel thanks for the references some look like they will help. Joe

[RhB_HJ]

Joe,

In addition to getting the info it pays to get the right tools and materials.

If you plan on custom fitting turnouts i.e. they are not even numbered, but rather built in place, then it pays to get yourself familiar with a CAD program that allows you to plan to scale and print sections of it 1:1.
Good track templates (paper) make the job a lot easier and take the fudging and guess-work out of it. They are easy enough to produce once you learned how to use CAD (I use CADrail from http://www.sandiasoftware.com/ ).
BTW CAD's learning curve starts to pay back when you can design anything you like (structures, rolling stock, floorplan for your house, furniture etc. etc.)

When buying tools such as files etc. buy good quality brand names at an industrial supply house, they cost a bit more but will outlast the "ring-a-ding" variety by many years. I bought a set of Swiss needle files back in 1974 and I'm still using the same set. Same goes for the larger files.
While you're at the industrial place get a roll each of 200 and 400 grit emery, these are 1" wide and the cat's meow fo all kinds of applications.

For basic materials I prefer Micro-Engineerings track (Code40 and up pre weathered), the ME small spikes for most stuff even standard gauge HO and their stained ties. I used to stain my own, but unless it has to be right to proto I don't anymore. Life's too short for tedious stuff like that.

One of the important items is a jig to line up the ties in, easily made using styrene.
To pick up the ties from the jig I use low tack tape as used in the drafting departments (perhaps I should say "used to be used in the drafting departments") it is 1/4" wide (made by 3M).

And of course you need good track gauges, I made my own for various scales from 1/8" thick spring steel.. What you get from NMRA is OK for checking, but not sturdy enough for pushing and shoving.

Once you have all the materials and tools assembled, what you still need is patience .
You will require that to work slowly and methodically, you'll also need it to triple check everything and you'll need it to avoid saying "that's good enough" despite seeing a small kink here or there.
I've helped quite a few friends with handlaying better track (others simply ordered the finished product[;)]) and at least one of them refers to me as "Micrometer Eyes"[;)][:)]. Which is OK considering I've been wearing eye glasses since I was 3 years old (and that was a l-o-n-g time ago [:D][:D])

[Anonymous]

Check out Central Valley's tie pieces. I've used wood and CV's and now only lay wood ties on industrial sidings (where they don't require rail plates). CV's have rail plates cast in and the ties are always the same height (quite unlike wood ties) and are self gauging. They spike easier than wood and don't split. P.S. I'm not affiliated with CV just like the product.

[joecool1212]

HJ, Thanks for all the good help. I've been collecting the tools now for about 8 years. Still things i need, but at least i can fit all the things i need on a small note book. LOL. I only work in HO so i dont need to worry about the other scales. I guess it makes it a little easier. I've been looking at the CAD programs but havent settled on one yet. Paitence have It must come from having 9 kids. At least 8 are interested in helping me. Hopefully one or more will learn the hand laid stuff with me. Some are only interested in the scenery part. I looked for the book trackwork handbook and it is still available. So im going to start there. The jigs will be next. I will need to learn the hand laid switch tracks next. I should be up to that part of my layout in the fall. Thanks Again for all the good advise. Keep it coming. Joe