Scratchbuilding and kitbashing

Post ideas and links to garden train projects you've built. Please also share those "unlikely treasures" you've found here! If you're new here, please read our forum policies.

Last post 10-30-2009 12:43 PM by Rene S. 6 replies.
Rate:
Sort Posts:
Previous Next
Page 1 of 1 (7 items)
10-15-2009 7:49 PM
Offline IRB Souther Engineer
Not Ranked
Joined on 09-20-2009
Florida
Posts 15

How hard is it to build turnouts?

How hard is it to build turnouts? I am a beginner and don't have a rail bender...
10-16-2009 2:24 AM In reply to
Offline cabbage
Not Ranked
Joined on 02-27-2005
Peak District UK
Posts 691

Re: How hard is it to build turnouts?

I don't have a rail bender either(!)

The shape of the rails on the points are maintained by the chairs affixed to the sleepers. The rail can be bent using the curve of your stomach -or a cushion. The hard part is building the frog and wing rails -these have to be cut and silver soldered quite accurately. The ratio of the frog is VERY NEARLY the cotangent of the angle of the point. Normal methods of construction involve gluing the pre-drawn paper shape to a baseboard, then nailing the sleepers to it, nailing the chairs to the sleepers and then feeding the rails through the chairs. Fitting the check rails and wing rails is done last.

It is not that hard -just very boring!

regards

ralph 

 
10-16-2009 9:37 AM In reply to
Offline Jerry Barnes
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-17-2006
central Nebraska
Posts 57

Re: How hard is it to build turnouts?

 June, 2009 issue of Garden Railways has an article on that. Supposed to be a follow up article, but I have not seen that yet.
10-26-2009 6:31 PM In reply to
Offline tblack007
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-12-2009
Posts 10

Re: How hard is it to build turnouts?

 I too am a beginner at building turnouts and laying track but I found some great articles in the "How To & Video" section on this site. These articles were a great start for me. There is even a digital download on how to build your own Rail Bender. These aren't free but the small price was worth the time I saved starting in the right direction.

How To & Video section: Digital downloads > Downloadable Articles > Track, Accessories and Details.

Good luck and have patience. I have just about finished my first turnout and so far, it works smoothly!

Tim

10-27-2009 3:18 PM In reply to
Offline Rene S
Top 500 Contributor
Joined on 04-22-2002
Wisconsin
Posts 1,337
Garden Railways Magazine Staff

Re: How hard is it to build turnouts?

Tim and all-- We have the build your own railbender article available as a PDF for only $1.95. The more recent series on making your own turnouts is also available for $4.95 (less than the price of a back issue). Here is the link to where they both are: http://www.kalmbachstore.com/modeltrains-railroading-garden-railroading-digital-downloads-downloadable-articles-track-accessories.html
10-27-2009 9:40 PM In reply to
Offline Jerry Barnes
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-17-2006
central Nebraska
Posts 57

Re: How hard is it to build turnouts?

Rene,

  If you took Paypal I'd buy it.
 

10-30-2009 12:43 PM In reply to
Offline Rene S
Top 500 Contributor
Joined on 04-22-2002
Wisconsin
Posts 1,337
Garden Railways Magazine Staff

Re: How hard is it to build turnouts?

Tim, I have suggested that they add Paypal before. . .and I understand where you're coming from.
Page 1 of 1 (7 items)
Copyright © 2009 TRAINS.COM
Powered by Community Server (Commercial Edition), by Telligent Systems
SUBSCRIBER AND MEMBER LOGIN
E-mail Address:
Password:
 Remember me
My Profile
Screenname: (get your screenname)
Search Community
in