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Plan finalized and printed

January 3rd, 2010
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Well, I think I have the plan about as finalized as I can get on paper.  I did another full scale print and will be laying out on the benchwork soon.

Track plan

  1. Philip H
    January 5th, 2010 at 07:36 | #1
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    Where’s the #@$%@@*&^$%@$# LIKE button?!?!?

    Oh wait, that’s Facebook.

    Darn, fooled by technology – but I still really like your adaptation.

  2. Shaun
    January 5th, 2010 at 14:13 | #2
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    hehehe. Thanks Philip. :)

  3. Philip H
    January 6th, 2010 at 07:09 | #3
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    Are you going to take a crack at handlaying any of the track?

  4. Shaun
    January 6th, 2010 at 08:06 | #4
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    I’ve been thinking about it, using a Fast Tracks kit for during turnouts since they are all the same size (#7).

    The main problem for me though since I only have 16 turnouts (some already owned), it really would be a cost saving effort for me. I’d probably spend 50% more than the cost of ready-made Atlas turnouts for the tools and materials needed.

    But on the other hand, I’d have some great looking, great operating turnouts hand built by myself.

    So… I’m still debating :)

    All the other track will be Micro Engineering Code 55 flex. Wood ties on the Elmwood side, Concrete on the Marigny side.

  5. Shaun
    January 6th, 2010 at 11:09 | #5
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    Took a look at the Fast Track site today. The cost to build 15 new #7 turnouts would be $253. That’s for the jig, point form, wood ties, PCB ties, file, jeweler saw and ME c55 rail. This is for manually doing the wood ties using the templates, not the quick strips also.

    If I did the kit (for 5 turnouts) they have, and bought added material (wood ties not quickstrips) for another 10 it would be about $270. If I did quick strips it would be $325.

    If I stick with Atlas #7 turnouts, it might cost maybe $100 or less. Need to see how many I have right now. I also need to check the template against the Atlas #7 tonight to verify if they are the same size or not.

    But still, even though the cost is much higher I’m still debating it. So maybe that’s a sign I should just go for it :)

    The two curved turnouts I’m planning on using are pre-built fast track turnouts bought from ebay. Costly, but cheaper than buying a jig and all for just two turnouts.

  6. Avel
    January 6th, 2010 at 13:53 | #6
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    You could just try handlaying them without the jigs. I admit I’ve only constructed four in my lifetime, but they all functioned smoother than any Atlas turnout. Takes only 45 minutes, or less, to complete one. I highly recommend using a Dremel though for filing the point rails, and the stock rails for the point rails to nest into. Seems obvious, but every video I see is of some guy using a hand file to complete that step. No, I didn’t kink anything, and I was using code 40.
    I myself am using the Atlas’ now, I don’t have any spare time.

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