Tetters, I LOVE looking at yor handlaid trackwork, especially as you lay it. I am tired of having trouble with the store bought switches, and your track looks far more durrable. Anyway, my questions are about how much might one spend making turnouts and track in code 82 track, and also where you find the layout you have in your pictures? I am thinking of handlaying track on my ore dock approach, and then the (possibly curved if possible) wye at the top.
Thanks for the compliment Kevin. :thumb:
All my track work is built with Micro Engineering Code 83 rail. :mrgreen:
Cost is relative. You can go the cheap route like I did with this one, download and print off paper templates. Tape it to your workbench and grind your frog points using a table top belt/disk sander. Or you can use that template and attempt to make your own jig. Or you can cave like I did and purchase a jig from FastTracks. In fact the jigs are a good learning tool and helped me get comfortable with handlaying. It's really hard to screw up the trackwork, when the jig holds everything together for you. After building this, I'm already planning on designing more unique trackwork, soley for my layout to make it truely personal.
The jigs from FastTracks are by no means cheap though! The double x-over kit which includes enough rail to build two x-overs is $250 bucks!!!
However, the last time I checked, a complete RTR cd 83 Peco x-over costs about $130 dollars. A single turn out can cost anywhere from $30-40 bucks as well. The real cost savings happen when you start to build more of them. I mentioned it in a PM to
roch that were I to buy a jig all over again, I'd fore go the L/R No. 5 turnout jig and buy the No. 6 x-over jig.
Why?
Because with the x-over jig you can build a single turnout, left or right, a single x-over or a complete double x-over. Waaaaay more versatile as far as fixtures go. You can even build just a crossing with it. I really wish I had bought that fixture instead.
I still might...lol
So you can see, that once you own the jig, you can continue to build your own track work and only need to purchase further printed circuit board ties and rail. On the FastTracks website an 11pc bundle of 36" ME cd 83 rail goes for $20. The PC ties sell in bundles of 100 and go for $10. With that alone you can build a stack of over 20 turnouts. I should know...I did it!
There is also the cost of tools if you don't already own some. A brand new flat mill file is must for filing the frog and points. An old rusty file makes crappy points. A decent soldering station 30 watt minimum! I picked up a standard 20/40 w iron with a pencil tip and it works fine for me. The 20 w setting is good for delicate electrical soldering. 40 watts for the track work. If you don't already own one am NMRA track gauge is a must!!! Its great for inspecting your flange ways and track guage as you go. Plus a good benchtop belt/disc sander is a great piece of machinery to own. I bought it for turnout construction, but now use it for all kinds of things on the layout and around the house.
The construction does require some patience, good soldering techniques and you will put in a few solid hours on your first build. So if you think about it the cost your own "labour" goes into making the turnout. I know when working for myself on something I enjoy doing, the going rate on my time and labour is really cheap...in fact its F-R-E-E!!! :mrgreen:
The track plan was something I designed and then let the peers on this board have their way with it!
Russ & Brakie were a huge help in getting me sorted out operationally speaking and I am thankful for their help. I learned a lot and still am. I also took inspiration from
Kurt's cnw1961 track plan which he so graciously e-mailed to me...I still have his original idea saved on my harddrive. I just looked at it the other day as a matter of fact.
I've deviated from the plan in my album somewhat, however, its still basically the same. A curved wye is definately possible, however depending on the direction of the through and diverging routes, you might be better off with a curved t.o. instead. Like this...
http://www.handlaidtrack.com/templates/tt-ho-r-6-r-24-18.pdf
Without seeing your idea, I'm not too sure what you are after though.
Well...I've rambled on enough for one evening. Feel free to ask me more questions if you have any.
Take care!