Pastoolio has provided us with this excellent thread on handlaying turnouts the old fashioned way. It is a fascinating piece of modeling skill. Handlaying "the old fashioned way" allows you to place a turnout in any situation you have on your layout. That is, it soes not have to conform exactly to manufactured turnout sizes. This thread is also applicable to other scales although this turnout happens to be N scale and code 55 track. Here's a picture of the progress so far. There is a good narrative about different specific techniques of construction and also whether you should make them custom like this or use a commercial template method. This is a very interesting thread. Additional search terms: solder fast tracks atlas code switch jig wood wooden tie ties rail throw bar glue
