I've had a couple instances where I couldn't find a template to hand-lay a turnout that had an oddball combination if inner and outer radiuses. I came up with one solution to the problem ... http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Trackwork/page-5.html ... a while back but it was a fair amount of work. The other day I came up with a different process that is a lot easier and gives you a lot nicer template to work with. I'll share some of it here but because it is longer than maybe what should be posted here will give a link below to the whole procedure. There are a lot more drawings/pictures and a more detailed description of the process that what will be shown here. That covers making the template and it can be done fairly quickly. More info on the above on my site here.... http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Trackwork/page-15.html Also there I go on to describe how to make the turnout using the template... and end up with the finished turnout and hour or two after finishing the template. As is explained on my web page if you can draw the two routes full size by any means you can create a template using Fast Tracks templates pretty quickly... http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Trackwork/page-15.html Sumner
Thanks guys. I'm hoping that these track building tips help someone and also hope they encourage some of you to take it up if you haven't already. I'm enjoying it myself. Put the bend into the rail over a length of the rail, not in one place. Bend, then check against the template or fixture and bend more or take some out as needed. Work the bend in using the thumb and fingers multiple times. Let me know it the above helps or not. I picked it up watching a Fast Tracks turnout building video. They have great videos. I added the information to a page I have on building tips here... http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Trackwork/page-12.html Sumner
I started a thread about templot curved turnout templates in other places you can start with standard turnouts and bend them to any curve you want the program is difficult to learn, but I'd help anyone interested templot.com
