Scratch Building #6 Turnouts (was Trout Creek/BK Enterprises Turnouts???

[Tom Dempsey]

If you build your own frogs, they will take any flange you gauge them to, and you can pick your number (5, 7, 4.39 whatever fits your needs). Mixing flextrack and handlaid will frequently require the use of shims.

[Seaboard Air Line Fan]

Thanks Tom, the ability to make a turnout the way YOU want it is a positive thing.

Jay, the ME ties I measured are .149" high and .189" wide, so that's about 7.152" x 9.072" real scale, just a bit (.003") oversized from your ties, don't think that's enough to worry about.

I think I'll buy a pair of BK Enterprises turnouts and start from there. Get some of Jays ties and whatever else I need to get started and see where this takes me.

BobD

[Robert]

I think I'll buy a pair of BK Enterprises turnouts and start from there. Get some of Jays ties and whatever else I need to get started and see where this takes me.

BobD

Good way to get started Bob...

Robert

[Seaboard Air Line Fan]

Thanks Robert.

Like I always say...the hardest part is taking that first step (or cut). Compared to some of the other things I've done I might find this a pleasure!

BobD

[Jay Criswell]

BobD,

Sure we can sell you ties but there are a few pitfalls you need to be aware of prior to committing to the purchase. I'll give you a few things to ponder.

Are you planning on installing tie plates? Your flex track will have them cast into the ties. For the sake of visual continuity you might want to have them installed with your turnouts. Once installed on your wooden ties the rail will be raised the thickness of said tie plates. Many modelers go with thin ties to mitigate the issue. Why? Because the rail in your flex track isn't sitting on tie plates.....the rail actually sits lower than it would if it were hand laid.

Okay, getting beyond all that gobbly gook. At this point, depending on the brand of flex track, the height of the plastic tie is irrelevant. What is critical is the distance between the bottom of the rail and the bottom of the tie. Knowing that will allow us to cut ties so no shims are required but keeping in mind the use of tie plates has to be added to the equation.

I'm sure I'm not articulating this very well. I suppose photos might explain it all better than my rambling and incoherent words.

Clear as mud, huh?

Jay

[Seaboard Air Line Fan]

Jay, understand what you're saying, thanks!

It's going to be a while before I get to a point where I'll need anything but when I do I'll get back with you.

BobD

[bob turner]

And while tie plates and assorted castings can make trackwork a true piece of art, you are at the stage where good looking rail spiked to good looking ties will be a giant leap forward. You can always shim one way or the other - I sometimes use the kind of cardboard that comes on the back of a legal tablet, or even a junk mail item. Make your first handlaid switch without the extra stuff. Opinion.

[Tom Dempsey]

Just don't expect the wife to be nearly as excited as you the first time you run a set of trucks through a switch you built without any bobble. Mysteriously, they don't seem to perceive the importance of such a momentous occasion.

[Seaboard Air Line Fan]

BobT, that's good advice, thanks.

Tom, no wife (passed away 2-1/2 years ago), but one of my cats enjoys watching the trains and once I start tearing down/rebuilding both of them will be inspecting my work

BobD

[Seaboard Air Line Fan]

This just occurred to me...If my engines/rolling stock work on my current 072 switches (2-railed of course) will they go thru #5 switches alright?

BobD.

Never mind, I found some discussion on this and it seems a #5 turnout is about 88"-90", so all my engines, etc should be fine.

[Seaboard Air Line Fan]

I just called them to find out if they had received my email from Dec 30 and he said no. They have 2 email addresses on their site and I used the wrong one! Should have been BKTruscale@aol.com

Hopefully I'll have some turnout making material soon!

[Seaboard Air Line Fan]

So far no response, even after I talked to him and sent another email to the correct address, may have to look elsewhere.

[Jay Criswell]

uhhh, no comment! Wouldn't be prudent.

Jay

[Robert]

I've never dealt with them, but they have been around for quite some time...patients my friend. But you cannot go wrong dealing with Jay Criswell. He has been bestowed with one of the best of model RR business, and will care for it's customer both past and present... take that to the bank Bob.

Robert

[Seaboard Air Line Fan]

Jay, Robert,
I would go to Jay but I thought he said he didn't have any code 148 frogs. If that's incorrect let me know!