Which one to choose, MTL turnout or a fast track kit?

Here's a question for the pro's.

The new turnout from MTL are B.O. until the next 7 weeks, so are they comparable with the one home made from fast track ?

And how well do the locos run on a Micro-Train turnout compared to a home build turnout from Fast Tracks?

Thanks

 

I don't know if they are really conparable.

My only experience is with Fast Tracks code 40 #6's and MT locomotives. I haven't had a problem and trains sail right through like it's just a piece of flex track.

The FT jigs let you keep things in gauge while building, but you still have to solder, cut, and saw to get one built.

Before:


After:

 

Homemade track

Animek

Home built switches run better, but obviously take a bit to build, even FT. But once you have the knack of building them it gets alot easier and faster. Also when you get better you can build your own to fit the location. Here in UK most people use PCB ties for every one where I not in US you mix with wood ones to.

I use some software that is very helpful for template building and track laying called http://www.templot.com/ which might be of interest to you if you do decided to go down the handlaided route. I have no connection to Templot, just a happy user :teeth:

Regards
Tom

 

Thanks guys for your quick response.

I forgot to ask, how many hours does it takes to build a fast track turnout. Of course taking in prospect that the person building the thing does not have butter fingers.

Ben

 

I did about one a day, but that was taking my time and being picky. Making sure no solder got into the web of the rail and cleaning all flux off with alcohol and a toothbrush.

Sorry I don't really know the hours used on one, but after getting the hang of it you could do 2,3, or maybe 4 a day.

Maybe Robert could post his photo of a MT turnout on his timesaver. He ballasted and blended it in so well you can't tell it a MT.

 

Ben,
PS just check out your links, you'll have no problem building turnouts.

 

I've notice that Micro Engineering Code 55 Rail are sold at Fast Track without specifying the scale, I've checked all FAQ on their site but did no see that question.

Is all code 55 rails compatible with all scale? Meaning you buy code 55 rails and it can be use to built turnout that go on HO, N or Z?

 

Yes the code is the same no matter what scale your in. Code 55 rail is .055" tall, Code 40 is .040", etc.

http://www.nmra.org/standards/pdf/rp-15_1.pdf

In N scale code 55 is the norm and 40 looks better. In Z scale even 40 is too tall to be "to scale", but its about as small as you can go realistically.

Now if you get creative you can do Code 25 rail, but it's not really rail though, it's flat wire. You might never notice the lack of profile:
http://whiteriverandnorthern.net/clinic_03.htm

I used Micro Engineering code 40 rail bought from Fast Tracks.

 

Animek, code is not scale related. It is simply an indication of overall heighth of the rail in thous, code40 is .040" high. All the other dimension are as per standard for a given code - have a look at:
http://www.morop.org/en/normes/nem120_en.pdf
Fastrack fixtures are made to order (I believe) - you specify rail code you want to use and No of the turnout you want t make and that is what you will get.
Chris

 

Thank you for the information!

Ben

 

You know!

Lately I have been doing some web-searching on the Fast Track website. I printed a few of their turnout pages on my color laser printer. Of course their is no color in the prints, just like to add that feature. Anyhow, I have been eyeing the Zn3 turnouts. Man those things are small. I thought Zm was the same as Zn3.

WRONG!

Their is a big difference in the two. For those of you who use to get into heated conversations about buying a Z scale SHAY locomotive if ever there was one built and offered to the public better think twice! I am not sure if any Shays were ever built to standard gauge which means they will have to be made to either fit Zm or Zn3 track!

Hmmmmmmmmm! Have you guyZ ever thought of this? If not, I am guessing this posting is starting those little Z scale gears a turning inside your head!

Think about it, a Z scale Shay running on Zn3 hand layed track! What a Grand Thought that is! Simply Awesome!

Hobo Tim

 

Tim,

Actually the NYC had several Shays on standard track. See:
http://www.railarchive.net/nyccollection/nyc7189.htm

John

 

Western Maryland had a few also, plus all the locomotives at Cass are standard gauge. I would guess though that more than half the shay built weren't standard gauge.

 

OK!

So, a select few Shays apparantly were made for standard gauge railroad use. Would this fact justify the manufacturing of a Z scale shay for mass production or would Zn3/Zm be more of a giant?

What other areas to think about! What was the main use of a Shay? How about the Climax locomotives? Or the Willamette locomotives? or the Heisler locomotives? Were not the bulk of these locos made for small time narrow gauge operations, a main one of which was the logging industry?

Just a few things to think about!

Hobo Tim

 

Tim,

No argument there but we all seen numerous manufacturers produce and release items that are not great sellers but make some folks (to include the manufacturer) feel good that it was released in Z.

But you're correct. I wouldn't buy one.

John