#002 The Great Turnout Project - Details, Details

I got some good coaching from Frank Koch, HLM and Executive Assistant Manager of the NMRA AP Program...

Scott

Some members of the chat group may give you grief for two reasons - requirements say operational as defined by powered locomotive able to negotiate all routes while under power with an assumption you will use an NMRA gauge to establish clearances, but some will say you need to build to all the track standards (not the requirement).  Second, some may ask where your plates, tie rods, point braces, NBW, and all the other minor elements are - they are details that add to your score.  Lastly, paint and weather the rail and ties, and add the little details that are around a turnout (switch stand, control boxes, etc.  Talk to your local AP manager and ask how they judge trackwork.  Then build and include their comments.  Good luck.

Frank Koch

I had not planned to highly detail the track items, but may change my mind.  First, I'll do as Frank recommends and will reach out to our Division AP Manager Bob McIntire to see what they look for.  Since the items must go on my layout, they have to operate flawlessly so that is the priority.  Detailing is second.

I've bought Proto 87 parts before for turnouts and will probably do so again.  They are readily available at http://www.proto87.com/turnout-details.html in a variety of different types.  The site also has printable diagrams:

http://www.proto87.com/handlaid_track_templates.html

Number 6 Turnout RH diagram

Ok, well maybe we won't be added store bought details.  I added up what I needed at the Proto 87 store and it came up to $81.  Forget that.  I'll make my own details like I usually do.

Being an MMR cost a lot of money, that's for sure.  It is probably something you should take into account.

Building a Turnout

It appears that I might need to scratchbuild a turnout for the pier area.  Really it needs a little bit of a curve to it to work.

I pulled a #5 turnout template off of Fastracks...

http://www.handlaidtrack.com/ho-5-turnout-printable-track-template-free-download-pi-2223.php

So we'll print it and get started.

Wiring Diagram for the Three Way (Lap) Turnout (3-way)

I'm about ready to start building the three way (lap) turnout and was curious as to how to wire it.  They are not very common in the prototype, but you can find them on layouts.  I especially want to make sure that it is DCC friendly.  Here are some links.

Gap cutting diagram is on the template
http://www.handlaidtrack.com/document_general_info.php?products_id=2228

Detailed DCC Friendly Wiring Diagram
http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches_walthers.htm

Routing Power on a 3-Way
https://www.handlaidtrack.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=844&view=previous

Set Screws for Holding Rails In Place at Joints

Scott,

The size of brass screw I use is #4 x 1" flat head Phillips wood screw available at Ace Hardware, item # 385624.

The key is to screw the screw in deep enough so it is BELOW the top surface of the ties by about 1/64" . The height you are concerned about is taken care of by puddling solder between the top of the screw and the bottom of the rail. If the screw is not screwed in deep enough then I have the problem you mentioned. I had this happen in one case. What I did is heat the solder and screw to melt the solder and while it was liquid put a Phillips in the Phillips screw head and gave it a small twist to bury it deeper and that worked very well.

So height of the rail is not set by moving the screw up or down but by puddling the solder and setting the rail higher and left or right location with a NMRA gauge.

If you use the method you propose it would be a trial and error procedure instead of a one time fitting procedure. You would also need a nut driver or a small wrench to screw in the lag screw. Needs more space and do not have such a small nut driver.

I have had to adjust a few because for some reason I have had some minor movements (expansion & contraction?). Resetting the rail as mentioned above with a soldering gun, flux and track gauge is a very simple and quick thing to do.

Phone me if you want do discuss further or if you see a glitch in what I said above.

I am impressed with your layout from the design, uniqueness and building techniques. Can't wait to see it in person.

Bob

Trackwork on the Dixie Central

The NMRA's Achievement Program under A/P Model Railroad Engineer Civil requires the following:

#3. Construct for Merit Judging, scratch built scale models of any three of the following, and demonstrate their satisfactory operation:

• Turnout - point or stub
• Crossover
• Double Crossover
• Single Slip Switch
• Double Slip Switch
• Crossing
• Gauntlet Track
• Gauntlet Turnout
• Dual Gauge Turnout
• Gauge Separation Turnout-Narrow gauge splitting off from dual gauge.
• Double Junction Turnout-One set of parallel tracks diverges from another.
• Three-Way Turnout
• Spring Switch
• Operating Switch in Overhead Wire
• Other ___________
  

  Commercial frogs are not permitted to be used in any of these items. These models may be built and demonstrated as part of the layout or separately.

On this layout I've decided to complete this part of Civil by doing the following:

• Three Way Turnout
• Curved Turnout
• Crossing 30 degree

Since one of each is represented (by design) on the Dixie, I'll build them here and make them operable. Three-ways look very intimidating, but they aren't. Its just one turnout laid on top of another. The curved turnout is a bit more tricky than a tangent turnout, but not that tricky. Crossings are a pain in the butt. I've built three of them, one being a dual gauge version. None of them worked well, so I'm going to make this one fit in the same place as a Walther's Code 83 30 degree. That way if it doesn't work well, I can tear it out after judging and put in the factory model.

Click On Track Diagram to Enlarge

As for the rest of the track we'll be using Walther's Code 83 track. The layout contains over 50 feet of track (54 feet to be exact) in order to meet the A/P Civil requirements. We'll need the following Code 83 items if you are not going to hand lay any track:

3' Tangent Sections = 17 sections for 51'
#5 Turnout Left Hand = 4
#5 Turnout Right Hand = 2
#6.5 Turnout Curved Left Hand = 2
#6.5 Turnout Curved Right Hand = 1
#6 Three Way Turnout = 1
30 degree crossing = 1

If I hand lay the curved turnout, crossing and three way then I need:


3' Tangent Sections = 17 sections for 51'
#5 Turnout Left Hand = 3
#5 Turnout Right Hand = 2
#6.5 Turnout Curved Left Hand = 2
#6.5 Turnout Curved Right Hand = 1

I'm going to use the Fast Track templates on line for these three below. Fast Tracks is a company that provides turnout and track laying tools for sickos like me that like hand laying track. Click on the item below to go to the template.

• #6 Three Way Turnout
• #6 Curved Turnout Left Hand 24/18 rad
  
• Crossing 30 degree

The curved turnout will be used for the locomotive maintenance track since it is not as critical.