I have an update on the Fast Tracks jigs since I first purchased prototypes a couple years ago. Tim and Ron Warris sent me this upgraded turnout building jig to replace my prototype jigs, and the improvements are fantastic. The Full kits included Turnout Jigs, Point Forming Jig, Instructions on CD, Quick Sticks laser cut plywood turnout tie strips, Copper Clad tie strips, and .015" diameter solder: Included in the kit are these fantastic laser cut .031" high tie sections, that you fit between the Copper Clad PC ties that are soldered to the rails. I received 10 of each size. In my special kit was also included an example of an #8 turnout, painted Roof Brown, which looks fantastic. I measured the frog gap and guardrail gaps at .025" then ran some MTL GP35 trucks through the frog, and there was a slight binding that was quickly fixed with a few strokes of a needle file. The points are flawless. The kit's come with .015" Diameter solder, and .040" wide x 1" long Copper Clad PC Board Ties.
The Turnout Jigs have been improved to include milled out areas around the PC Tie wells that allow better soldering iron tip access without the heat sink effect drawing all the heat away as in the prototype. Also there are small milled slots to help in forming the Frog Guard Rails. When I purchased my original templates, I had also ordered Point Forming Jigs. I had bad luck with the original design, but these new jigs fix all that. They are used to file the point and frog rails to the correct angle to match the Turnout Jig. The jigs clamp the rail at the precise angle required, and you file perfect points every time. I tested the Point Forming Jigs, and filed a set of Frog Points to test fit in the Turnout Jigs. The jig held the rails in perfect alignment without slipping while filing, and did not distort the rail head at all. I am really happy with the improvements in the Fast Tracks Jigs, and am planning my new home layout with code 40 rail and Fast Tracks turnouts. Tim and Ron Warris have proved that they stand by their product, and are constantly improving the product based on customer feedback. I am also going to cut expansion gaps in the rails every foot or so, for better thermal reliability in my trackwork.
Well you no longer have excuses to not get started on that layout.mg: I'll add that trains will skate right though those turnouts, almost like they're riding on rails! I got some thin cut of wheels from Loren, they are used by dentists and are just as thin as a Zona saw blade. I didn't get a chance to try them out yet, but they could be an alternative to the Zona. How's about running trains under wire on the new layout http://www.wwvrailway.com/index.htm
Thanks for the update on this Robert, I am new and have been researching track. That Code 40 looks sweet! Update this thread when you build your 1st turnout and let us know how it goes. The only problem may be, what size to get? Also are you going to build your own straight and curved track?
Hi solo_clipper, welcome to Trainboard! I have worked out a system for making handlaid flextrack that works pretty good. You can read more here: http://raybob.boche.net/projects/page921.htm Chris333, I recognise that fine looking station there. I have one like it myself!
Fine looking station indeed! I looked at a bunch of stations and they were mostly board and batten siding. The few that weren't were pretty close to yours. I shortened it by one freight door and took the peaked roof off the ticket area, now it looks like Erie. Your kit saved me a lot of work! And for anyone who doesn't know, the kit is set up to do a full interior if you like. Very nice! Was trying to get New Rail Models to make their printed shingles in Z for it, but I haven't heard back from them yet. Also the track in my photo that isn't a turnout was made from Robert's tie strips. I would still be chopping tie without them.
I'm new to this board and to Z scale and I have a couple of questions, but first let me say that there is a lot of good info and ideas I have read about and seen on this site including the link above for the handlaid track. My first question is...with code 40 track combined with the modern rolling stock and engines is there a flange problem? second....were do you get bulk code 40 track? third...what is the percentage of those using DCC and those not using DCC? Thanks in advance for your help & sugestions.
I used the same method as Robert so I say what I know here: 1. There are no spike heads so no flange issue at all. 2. I bought my C40 from FastTracks, it is from Micro Engineering and can be bought at places like Walther's too. 3. I don't use DCC, but guess about 60-70% of the people here do use it. Some of my track before ties: The 3 closer turnouts are the same 3 seen in the photo further up on the page.
Hi zztop, welcome to Trainboard! Let me see if I can answer your questions... First, Flanges. Since the code 40 solution has to be handlaid, and most people solder it to PC ties, you don't have to worry about spikes, so code 40 rail at .040" is good to clear the highest profile pizza cutter flanges I have measured, which are .027" high. As for code 40 rail, I bought mine from several hobby shops, any that carry Micro Engineering rail. I only use Non-Blackened rail as the blackened stuff don't solder well. I don't know what the percentage of DC to DCC in Z Scale is, but of the people I do know online, there are about 50-100 regular posters to the various Z Scale forums I frequent, and maybe 10-15 of them are using DCC. To speculate by numbers, there are 450 members to the Z DCC yahoo group, and 1800 to the Z Yahoo group so there may be better than 1 in 10 either using DCC or thinking about it. I use DCC myself.
:thumbs_up: Rob, you will really do good in statistical analysis field. Even in one of your previous post you had come up with a clever way of comparing what % of modelers are Z. Kim
Thanks for the help. Robert, may I ask what DCC system do you use? Are there any tricks / tips to installing the decoders in these tiny engines?
Jeff Merrill, Ted Lamar, and I use NCE, but Kim Vellore uses Digitrax, and Jim Manley uses Atlas as far as our club members go. Other Z Scalers on Trainboard are also using CVP and Lenz, so everyone has their preference. As far as decoders I have used: Lenz gold mini's, NCE, TCS, and Digitrax all offer Z Scale decoders that I have used. Each locomotive is different, and so far I have only installed decoders in AZL F59's, MTL GP's, and Marklin Pacific's, Mikes, and BR89's. so far the GP is the easiest, requiring the least amount of work, with the Marklin USRA steamers the second easiest. I would recomment browsing the ZDCC Yahoo group, and of course searching through the Trainboard Z topics from the past year.
Guess I guessed high on the DCC. Everybody seems to be using it, but I suppose you don't get many DC questions to take note of them.
ZZ, Yes they were all made with the Fastracks jig. Code 40 #6 in this case. It took my 2 days to build 5 turnouts at my leisure, first time using the jigs as well. So they aren't that hard to get the hang of. I should of bought the FT laser cut tie strips like Robert shows. I didn't want to wait though so just used the correct size stripwood. All the ties other than the turnouts are from Robert.
Robert in your tutorial, http://raybob.boche.net/projects/page921.htm , very good by the way, where can I get the Tie Strips?
