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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Laying out Track Center Lines
October 6, 2013

7. Laying out Turnout Ties
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8. Preparing the Stock Rails
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9. Preparing the Point Rails
STEP 1
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
October 6, 2013

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

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

12. Preparing the Turnout Points
October 6, 2013

13. 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

14. Preparing Guard Rails
October 6, 2013

15. 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

16. 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