When building complex trackwork, such as the triple lapped turnout shown in this video, it is usually necessary to make hinged switch points as opposed to the easier to build solid switch points. Solid switch points rely on flexing the rail between the throwbar and a PC board tie far enough away to permit easy motion of the points. With limited space this isn’t always possible.
I have developed a technique using rail joiners to act as hinges, and soldering spikes to the switch points that are inserted into the throwbar to provide a pivot.
This HD video shows the process of installing this type of hinged switch point onto the float bridge lead of the CNJ Bronx Terminal.
Watching it in HD is well worth the extra download time….
Enjoy!
-T.
About the Author:
I'm your host, Tim Warris, a product developer in Port Dover, Ontario. Since March of 2007 I have been documenting the construction of the former CNJ Bronx Terminal in HO scale. For my day job, I design track building tools for Fast Tracks, a small company I own and operate. Fast Tracks makes it fast and easy to hand lay your own trackwork. Stop by our website to learn more!
This week we launched a new series of videos called the After Hours Video Series. This series will feature a collection of videos shot in an informal relaxed manner highlighting various modeling projects that I am working on. Since producing fully edited video is a time consuming process, these videos are only lightly edited, and not narrated, simply watch the video and take from them what you will. I think these will be self explanatory, informative and should provide some helpful tips, especially those covering track building with Fast Tracks tools.
Nn3 Code 55 #6 turnout built in this video series
First up in the series is construction on an Nn3 #6 code 55 turnout. I decided to tackle this as we have not yet created any videos dealing with building trackwork in the smaller scales. The process is pretty much the same as HO scale and larger, but a bit more care and patience is needed to work with smaller parts.
I shot this last Saturday evening while listening to the St. Patrick’s day edition of Randy’s Vinyl Tap, so lots of catchy Irish music playing in the background. Beer was consumed.
The build is in 5 parts, all included below. Watch them in order, and in HD if you can. They are all shot with a HD camera and now that YouTube can stream HD video, the quality is far better then what could previously be shown. If the video stalls, simply pause the video for a few minutes, this will allow it to buffer ahead a bit and will play smoothly after that. Full screen is even better.
Part 1
Prepping and inserting PC board ties
Forming guard rails
Filing frog points using the PointForm tool
Pre-building frog points (to be installed later)
Part 2
Forming stock rails using the StockAid tool
Soldering both stock rails in place
Forming switch point using a PointForm tool
Soldering curved switch point/closure rail in place
Part 3
Preparing and installing straight switch point/closure rail
Soldering guard rails in place
Soldering frog point in place
Tweaking frog point
Filing and sanding top of frog points
Part 4
Removing turnout from fixture
Final soldering of switch points to throwbar
Filing and fitting switch points
Cleaning turnout with wire brush to remove traces of flux residue
Gluing completed turnout to laser cut QuickSticks
Breaking away QuickSticks
Dressing ends of wood ties to remove QuickSticks tabs
Part 5
Clamping completed turnout in vise
Cutting electrical isolation gaps in rail with jewelers saw
Deburring rail gaps with sharp edge file
Drilling throwbar for switch machine wire
Testing completed turnout with Nn3 boxcar
Feel free to embed or distribute these videos.
Feedback always welcome.
-T.
About the Author:
I'm your host, Tim Warris, a product developer in Port Dover, Ontario. Since March of 2007 I have been documenting the construction of the former CNJ Bronx Terminal in HO scale. For my day job, I design track building tools for Fast Tracks, a small company I own and operate. Fast Tracks makes it fast and easy to hand lay your own trackwork. Stop by our website to learn more!
