Hand Layed points are very simple when you get the hang of them. I layed the track on the main firstly. layed track upto where a normal point is to go. That gives us an Idea on where you start the point. I then Cut out hte plastic ties and the track leaving a space. File in the nitch into the inside of the rail and place back into the space. This creates a V. From there we used 4 PCB strips and soldered them onto the relivantpoint on the begining, middle, about the frog area and the end. You get the curve correct and looks smooth then you make the frog. A NRMA Gauge is invaluable at this time. File it to a point after soldering. Make up the point blades test them. Do not bend them yet. Using the track gauge, you ensimate the bend for this which is normally where the track bottom lip touches the frog track bottom and out 2 to 3 mm. Trial fit it and fix. You know when it is correct when you look down the track the frog and the point blade is alligned. If youv'e got it 100 percent accurate, you should be able to run a light and a heavy car through the point without the check rails. don't solder the point blades from the notch for atleast 3cm. Make up the check rails and solder them in place. At the moment you have a lovely point but a dead short across both rails. Solder some more cuircit board infront of the check rails on both sides. These are used to gap the frog The frog is powered by a separate switch contact from a tortise switch or simular. Gap all the track but the point blades are the smae polarity as the stock rails beside them. Paint the PCB and place wooden ties under the rails. Seal the ties and paint the smae colour. They take 4 hours to build but any angle, lenght and shape can be made and even closely linked ones. We've also made a gauntlet buy he same method where there are 4 tracks on a single lane snow shed. See attached photo. Happy point making. Cost of the point is about $2.50. [ 12 April 2001: Message edited by: Fat Controller ]
Today we finished off the yard, put in a road and continued adding trees. Also this week has been a week of working late nights on weathering rolling stock and checking rolling stock. I am also waiting the arrival of another decoder order, I am having fun installing the Lenz LE077xf in Atlas GPs. I wil post a couple more photos next week off the layout with a rolling stock and some CN motive power.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MRL Mick: I wil post a couple more photos next week off the layout with a rolling stock and some CN motive power.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I can't wait Mate CN !!!!!
Dave, I finally have some photo's. Dad has put a few of mine in your CN photo contest. The pics are a little dark, all are Kato's.
Some more layout pictures. The snow scene is partially complete, the line side boxcar and track realignment scene is also almost complete. The mine has been placed and recquires some detail on the mountain to complete the scene. With just a week to go we should be fine.
Mike, The trees made out of Chenille in the snow scene... how tall are they? I've worked with Chenille a little, but can't see how a tree would be taller than 1 1/2". I wish I could make them a little taller. Its my understanding that chenille only comes in one size. Is that correct? Scot
Scot The cheniles we are using are three varieties, Bumpy which give you around a two inch tree, and 3mm for small trees and a 6mm for the intermediate trees. The look is effective. Once the trees are formed they are spray painted to with green spray paint to give them the same look.
