Atlas C55 #7 switches

[Sumner]

I think I am going to spring for the Fast Tracks turnouts.  The question is whether I should order the #6 or the #7 turnout jig.  Any advice or recommendations?

I went for #6 since it seemed like a happy medium for probably what I'd use most on the layout with mostly smaller up to mid '70's locos (do have some U50's and GTEL's though).  Once you get the hang of it moving to making...



.... turnouts off of one of their templates isn't that hard or even....



... making a template to fit a specific situation.

I've made a little over 40 #6's at this time and having the jig does speed things up vs. using a template so if you are only starting with one jig (all I have). I'd start with the one for whatever turnout you think is going to be the most prevalent.

I bought one StockAid tool.  It can be used for any turnout.  I bought the #6 PointForm tool and it gets me close enough on the other turnouts that I can finish with hand filing the Frog and Switch points.

I cut my own PCB ties...

... from PCB and it goes fast and can save a lot of money if that is important.  I also buy individual wooden ties and that saves but buying the Fast Track PCB ties (wood & PCB) can save some time.  I figure my cost is less than $5 a turnout.  I don't mind that my ties are not quite as uniform as the tie strips but in the real world they aren't uniform either.

As others have mentioned I find it quite enjoyable.  If one has a 3D printer I have print files up for 'end of track sections', crossing diamonds, track laying tools, a track shaping and layout compass, #6 tie gluing gig, curved turnout tie gluing gig, various width tie gluing gigs for straight turnouts,  various code 55 frog point fixtures, code 55/70 rerailer that works with ME flex track here...

http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Trackwork/Trackwork-Index.html

Sumner

[ncbqguy]

The prototype cannot be copied exactly because of the relative coarseness of even the best N Scale wheel flanges.  The open points have to be further away from the stock rails to clear and the points cannot be as fine / thin / long.   

The difference between the ME #6 and ATL #7 is more than the length of the track section would suggest.  The length of the points, location of and length of the frog on the ATL is indeed longer than the ME.  The run-out of the stock rails on the ATL after the frog is shorter due to trying to keep to the sectional track geometry (the #5 is longer than it has to be for the same reason). 

I wish PECO would do their "North American" HO line in their Code 55 double base rail.....but they have more excuses for doing variations of track systems in other scales than Carter had Liver Pills (old fart historical reference).

If ME is ever sold they will need to look at new tooling and going to a double base rail would solve so many problems that Code 55 and smaller, more prototypical N Scale track present!  Having domestic production to mitigate supply chain problems would be nice as well....

Charlie Vlk
Railroad Model Resources

[signalmaintainer]

I used the FastTracks 22/18 curved jig to make a replacement for my Atlas curved turnout.  It dropped in place of the old Atlas turnout with only the slightest of adjustments to the flex track coming in and out of it.   You won't regret it.  No more shimming and patching for me.  Everything rolls through that turnout without a hitch now.

Thanks for the tip! That's the first confirmation I have had that FastTracks has something that will just about fall into place.

[wazzou]

My concern going forward is my plan is to transition from C55 to C40 on my next layout.
I can build the TO’s but the concern is the rest of the track.

[mmagliaro]

I used the FastTracks 22/18 curved jig to make a replacement for my Atlas curved turnout.  It dropped in place of the old Atlas turnout with only the slightest of adjustments to the flex track coming in and out of it.   You won't regret it.  No more shimming and patching for me.  Everything rolls through that turnout without a hitch now.

Thanks for the tip! That's the first confirmation I have had that FastTracks has something that will just about fall into place.

Here ya go (a demo).  It is so satisfying to be able to do this.  And I even ran the train kind of fast (for a backing move through a turnout, that is!).  No problems.

[mike_lawyer]

Ordered a #7 jig and the tools/supplies for ten turnouts.  Looking forward to beginning my journey in custom building turnouts.

[mmagliaro]

Ordered a #7 jig and the tools/supplies for ten turnouts.  Looking forward to beginning my journey in custom building turnouts.

You will not regret this!  The only tool I used, other than the jig, was the point/frog forming tool.  My NMRA division had purchased some of these to loan out to members so they could try building their own turnouts.  They (pretty sensibly) bought a #6, since they couldn't possibly buy "all" of them.  I found that was fine for my curved turnout.  It just has to get you close, and after that, I could easily dress the switch points and frog points so they were the correct shape and angle for my turnout.

[ncbqguy]

Unbelievable!  After claiming they could not expand their production to do a North American Code 55 track line, PECO just announced a new range of TT Gauge track.
I guess we are forever stuck with OOO Gauge track.
Charlie Vlk

[wazzou]

Unbelievable!  After claiming they could not expand their production to do a North American Code 55 track line, PECO just announced a new range of TT Gauge track.
I guess we are forever stuck with OOO Gauge track.
Charlie Vlk

I wonder what the percentage of modelers are for that scale?  .00875%

[mike_lawyer]

Unbelievable!  After claiming they could not expand their production to do a North American Code 55 track line, PECO just announced a new range of TT Gauge track.
I guess we are forever stuck with OOO Gauge track.
Charlie Vlk

It's really too bad, I have always thought there is a market for North American code 55 track from Peco.  They did it in HO with their Code 83 line, it's a head scratcher why they don't do it in N scale.

[mmagliaro]

Unbelievable!  After claiming they could not expand their production to do a North American Code 55 track line, PECO just announced a new range of TT Gauge track.
I guess we are forever stuck with OOO Gauge track.
Charlie Vlk

Like most decisions like this, it sounds like it is "just business".  They can probably see more return on their investment in TT than they can in a lower profile American prototype N Scale track.

[jagged ben]

Like most decisions like this, it sounds like it is "just business".  They can probably see more return on their investment in TT than they can in a lower profile American prototype N Scale track.

It's hard to believe they are working with accurate information there.

[jdcolombo]

Well, only PECO knows for sure what percentage of sales comes from the US.  If they would have had a North American prototype track when I started my current layout back in 2010, I'd have stuck with PECO.  I miss being able to flip the switch points for switch routing, instead of relying on Tortoises.  (Yes, I know folks have come up with a variety of manual switch throws for N scale, all of which are kludges in one way or another).  They must believe that potential sales simply don't justify the investment.  I think they're wrong, but I'm not running the company and don't have access to their internal financial information.

I do know that when our N-Trak club rebuilt its modules over the past couple of years, we used all Peco Code 55, because the double base construction makes it nearly indestructible.  Atlas Code 80 track was forever getting damaged in module transportation.  The Peco . . . never.  If nothing else, they would have a pretty large base of N-trak and other portable module folks using the track simply because of its robust build.  But then again, we bought the current stuff, so I guess they sold us track anyway . . .

John C.

[peteski]

Unbelievable!  After claiming they could not expand their production to do a North American Code 55 track line, PECO just announced a new range of TT Gauge track.
I guess we are forever stuck with OOO Gauge track.
Charlie Vlk

While you didn't mention it, is that American  or European prototype TT gauge track?  I would assume it is European.  If yes, then TT is actively modeled in Europe.  Track, motive power, rolling stock, and strictures are currently available in TT gauge.  It must be popular enough in Europe that Peco (a British company on the other side of the "pond") decided to compete with Tillig's track.

[Jim Costello]

Peco does make a range of 12mm track, points etc (SL1400 series) for the narrow gauge and presumably for the TT market. It is also used and sold as HOm and used by the many modellers
for the 3'6" track here in Australia,South Africa  as well as other countries that have 3'6" track systems.