Large Scale Central

Custom fit curved turnout

Track and Trestles
#1

Hi all,

Yesterday was busy, built almost complete curved turnout to fit where the intended standard type would have looked funny. Pictures coming up as soon as I’m all done.

#2

OK That’s how it was, a standard TO would have looked odd.

(http:///P1/CurvedTO01_s.jpg)

Step 1

(http:///P1/CurvedTO02_s.jpg)

(http:///P1/CurvedTO03_s.jpg)

Step2

(http:///P1/CurvedTO05_s.jpg)

(http:///P1/CurvedTO06_s.jpg)

(http:///P1/CurvedTO07_s.jpg)

(http:///P1/CurvedTO08_s.jpg)

Step3

(http:///P1/CurvedTO09_s.jpg)

(http:///P1/CurvedTO11_s.jpg)

(http:///P1/CurvedTO12_s.jpg)

(http:///P1/CurvedTO13_s.jpg)

Step4

(http:///P1/CurvedTO14_s.jpg)

(http:///P1/CurvedTO15_s.jpg)

(http:///P1/CurvedTO16_s.jpg)

(http:///P1/CurvedTO17_s.jpg)

#3

Step5

(http:///P1/CurvedTO18_s.jpg)

(http:///P1/CurvedTO19_s.jpg)

(http:///P1/CurvedTO20_s.jpg)

(http:///P1/CurvedTO21_s.jpg)

Step6

(http:///P1/CurvedTO22_s.jpg)

(http:///P1/CurvedTO23c_s.jpg)

(http:///P1/CurvedTO24_s.jpg)

Step7

(http:///P1/CurvedTO25_s.jpg)

(http:///P1/CurvedTO26_s.jpg)

That’s all! Until I install it!

#4

Super!

So you are no longer gluing the ties to a half inch pressure treated plywood?

#5

The 1/2 inch ply was just for the part that is elevated and has a 3/4" ply base, usually the stuff that goes on the ladder roadbed is mounted on 6mm PVC to keep things in one plane and straight.
But there’s always one more method to be tried, just in case someone asks one day “How would you do that?” :smiley: “Duh” would probably be the wrong answer. :wink: :slight_smile:

#6

HJ,
Nicely done. Good explanation. Maybe you would consider putting it in the Articles portion of the site for good preservation.

#7

HJ, nice way to show how it was all done… beautiful work…

#8

Interesting technique - soldering to brass fasteners.

Did you fabricate the frog too?

In some shots the rail looks like brass, but aluminum in others. Is the rail painted in some shots?

#9

The rail is Llagas Creek nickel silver (tough as nails!), the light is playing tricks in the garage.

#10

Quite impressive HJ. I like the technique you used.

#11

Hans , I like the technique , it has produced a prototypical look . Nice .

Mike M

#12

Looks very nice. Have a question - on your pivots on the point rails, what re you using in the tie to mount the pivot?

Thanks!

#13

very nice work and good write up as well!

#14
Steve Weidner said:
Looks very nice. Have a question - on your pivots on the point rails, what re you using in the tie to mount the pivot?

Thanks!


Thank you one ond all,

The pivot bearing is one of the #6x3/4 brass woodscrews (Robertson type) with a 1.2mm hole drilled in the center.

BTW usually the brass screws would fasten into either the 1/2" ply (mentioned by Steve) or the 6mm PVC that I use as a base when mounting on the ladder roadbed, however in this case I shorten the screws to less than the thickness of the ties, applied some of the Loctite Gel-CA before inserting them. Should last for “some time”. :wink:

Those interested in the write-up of the “standard” construction method check here, the addition of the modified for ladder-roadbed without PVC-board is in the works. As are a lot of the updates, just as soon as I get things translated. Sometimes the updates happen first in English, other times in German. :slight_smile:

#15

Nice work. I wish I could do that. I wouldnt know where to start

#16

Shawn,

It’s like anything, you start, you learn and you get better while you keep learning and doing.

My very first handlaid turnout was in HO, back in 1974/75 I needed a crossover on a curve between the two mainline tracks. Not a chance to get a commercial one, so I built one. It wasn’t pretty, but it functioned very well and since it was part of the non-sceniced portion (staging) it was pretty enough.

#17
Shawn said:
Nice work. I wish I could do that. I wouldnt know where to start
Shawn, without being too much of a smart @$$, you start at the beginning.

Step one: Cut your ties to the right size.

Step two: Admire your work.

Step three: Glue ties to suitable substrate.

Step four: Admire your work.

Step five: Attach frog.

And so on…

Now, to find my workbench under all the clutter. Perhaps that is step one… :stuck_out_tongue:

#18
Steve Featherkile said:
Shawn said:
Nice work. I wish I could do that. I wouldnt know where to start
Shawn, without being too much of a smart @$$, you start at the beginning.

Step one: Cut your ties to the right size.

Step two: Admire your work.

Step three: Glue ties to suitable substrate.

Step four: Admire your work.

Step five: Attach frog.

And so on…

Now, to find my workbench under all the clutter. Perhaps that is step one… :stuck_out_tongue:


:lol: :lol:

Not quiet the sequence I follow, but there are different methods. i.e.

Step1: Make sure you have all the materials and tools required.

Step2: Start placing the ties

Step3: Make sure you’re happy with the ties, if not back to Step2

etc. etc.

Admiring is only called for at the end, that is after each step has been carried out to your satisfaction and you’re happy with the result.

#19

Great job Hans, thanks for sharing! I’m sure regular turnouts are tricky enough let alone curved turnouts.

-Will

#20

Wow. Excellent work Hans. I still toy with the idea of hand laid track (including switches) some day but we’ll see…

Jon.