TURNOUT CONSTRUCTION FOR OPERATION & APPEARANCE By Bill Ataras Model Railroad Engineer, Civil October 6, 2013 October 6, 2013

Introduction Why build your own turnouts & special trackwork Important – REQUIRED - information What we will cover today What's included in the hand-out (CD) For more information October 6, 2013

Why Build Our Own Track Have track elements that aren't available “off the shelf” Model using prototypical rail sizes Have improved operational reliability Have improved electrical reliability Have the satisfaction of building something that looks great and works even better October 6, 2013

What is REQUIRED Here comes a shameless promotional message for the NMRA!! You need dimensions to build a car, engine or structure You also need dimensions to build trackwork (duh!) Standards These provide the dimensional data required to get all the pieces in the right positions S-3.1 Prototype & Fine Scale Track Standards S-3.2 Model Track Standards October 6, 2013

Topics to be Covered Here How to lay out a turnout How to make points and stock rails How to mate points and stock rails How to make a frog – EASILY! How to make wing rails and guard rails How to make a reliable, insulated throwbar October 6, 2013

Laying out Track Center Lines October 6, 2013

Laying out Turnout Ties October 6, 2013

Preparing the Stock Rails October 6, 2013

Preparing the Point Rails STEP 1 STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 October 6, 2013

Making the Point of the Frog STEP 1 STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 October 6, 2013

Making the Point of the Frog (2) STEP 4 STEP 1 STEP 5 STEP 6 October 6, 2013

Preparing the Turnout Points October 6, 2013

Electrical Connections to Points Reliable operation requires dependable electrical connections to EVERY rail. A point touching a stock rail is a TERRIBLE electrical connection. Electrically and mechanically connect the point to the stock rail to the heel of the point. This guarantees that the point will be electrically connected – always! This requires the use of an insulating throwbar. I've tried various methods, but prefer the plexiglas bar shown here. For heavy rail, code 83 and up, the heel of the point is hinged. Use flat strip of 0.005” brass soldered over the gap between the point and closure rail. October 6, 2013

Preparing Guard Rails October 6, 2013

Guard Rail Design Notes Guard Rails are straight, not bent Bevel the flangeway side at each end to leave room for the wheel flange to enter the flangeway Most of the time, the base of the stock rail and guard rail will not be in contact. Remember, the flangeway is a relatively constant width; the base of the rails are wider for large code rail. Use thin brass tabs soldered to the bottoms of the stock rail and guard rail to set the correct position, or Use Pliobond to hold the guard rail in the correct position October 6, 2013

Summary There's only a few parts you need to make: Stock Rails Points Frog Guard Rails This will let you build ANY special trackwork!!! Expect to invest some trial and error time on your first couple of turnouts It's fun – and that's what model railroading is all about Have a few unique, 1 of a kind, trackwork scenes October 6, 2013