Fast Tracks

Hi,

I'm thinking about building my own turnouts and I wonder if I could use a crossover fixture for building both crossovers and turnouts. I'd simply ignore the crossing part and let the rail continue through. Are the placement of the ties the same for the turnouts and the crossovers? I.e. could I use the quicksticks, I'd be happy if the ties are placed in the same positions, if some PC-board ties are moved, added or removed should be easily handled. If the tie positions are the only difference, maybe you could make quicksticks that would work?

Also, is it possible to use existing fixtures or do you plan do release any that would allow some of the turnouts in the crossover to be replaced with slip switches?

best regards
Sven the Swede

Hi Sven the Swede,

Yes, the crossover fixtures we produce will build crossovers and can be used for turnouts as well. Simply refer to the printable tie template for the turnout to determine which PC board ties to use, other than that the geometry is exactly the same, making this a very versatile fixture to use.

_________________
Cheers!

Tim Warris
Fast Tracks
http://www.fast-tracks.net
service@fast-tracks.net

Hi,

sorry about bumping a thread old enough to be attending school. However, I have the same question as Sven the Swede. I'm planning to model the yard of Joensuu, Finland in N scale where a central feature is a double crossover with double slips on each of the four legs. (See image below.)

I first looked into ready-made switches and crossovers, but all prefabricated crossovers I could find have straight turnouts at the corners. Putting four double slips together with a crossing would increase spacing too much, so cutting and soldering would be required.

I've been wanting to get into handlaying turnouts anyway, and the assembly fixtures and rail might even get economical in a large project. I do realize that a double slip in N scale is quite a fiddly bit of trackwork. How would you recommend solving the crossover problem?

FWIW, note that there are also two kinds of three-way switches in the yard, both visible in the picture: right-hand (first road goes right) and left-hand (first road goes left). The only assembly fixture is left-hand. (Couldn't there be a right-hand fixture on the reverse side?)

I model in HO but I have the crossover jig, which has let me build both single crossovers, both left or right, the double crossover and plain old left and right hand switches, as long as they are all the same size.

As Tim mentioned I use the printed templates and quick sticks to determine where and what lenght you need for ties, and work the rail lengths as they fit the plan.

Hope this helps, you get one purchase to make the most of different types of switchs and crossovers.

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Kurt Konrath

SP was king of the road, Cotten Belt will run forever! D&RGW will rule the hills!