Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
1. What got you into or why did you decide to begin laying your own rail or turnouts? Cost of prefab turnouts. I needed about 70 turnouts. By building them myself they cost about 2 bucks each. Commercial ones 15 to 20. Also when I started there were no coe 83 commercial turnouts available. This was also a way to give me more modeling time for the buck. I also find it very relaxing and quite satisfying. When you see a train or freight car pass over what was once a pile of rail, ties and spikes you get a real feeling of accomplishment. 2. How would you rate the complexity and/or talent needed to accomplish doing it well? Not very hard. Just attention to detail like any other modeling effort. 3. How long did it take you before you felt comfortable or competent at it? After the third one. 4. How does the cost of handlaying rails and/or turnouts yourself compare to buying track that is commercially available? See # 1. 5. What difference did it make visually or operationally to your layout? Visually not much. In fact commercial ones look better. But when it comes to track geometry, handlaying is the best. If you need a # 6 3/4 left turnout or a # 7 crossover where ya going to buy it? 6. Is there a down downside to handlaying your own track? Only if you are pressed for time.
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community