Fast Tracks

Howdy all!!

I finailly got my fixture and materials. I know with the first one,, I am having a problem with wheels rising in the frog area.

I do not know if it is because I might have placed the frog too far in,,,, looking down the TO, loks like the frog might be a teeny weeny out of line.

Is that causing the problem of the wheels lifting??? Or is it because my guard rails?

Thanx for any help. Wyatt

Hi,

When working with code 55 rail in N scale it is important to ensure there is enough clearance in the frog area.

The best way to do this is to pre-solder the two halves of the frog point together first and place them into the fixture as a completed unit. When placing them in to the fixture, make sure you pull them back in the fixture, to create as much width in the flangeway as possible. This will ensure the clearances are right.

When adding the guard rails, be sure they are spaced as far as the fixture will allow from the stock rail. I do this by holding it in place with a sharp tool while soldering.

Once you get these steps worked out the equipment will work very nicely on the turnouts.

This seems to only effect N scale turnouts built with code 55 rail, and this is due to the odd size of this rail.

Hope this is helpful

_________________
Cheers!

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

I'm doing a combination of both of the things Tim mentioned. I do pull back on the assembled frog and check it with the NMRA gauge. I also have been trying a slightly new method of installing the guard rails. I first "tack" them in place using the jig. Later I take the completed assembly out of the jig and using my soldering iron, re-adjust the position by re-melting the solder and use the small triangular file to pry it away from the stock rail (basically inserting it between the stock rail and guard rail along the length of rail). Again, using the NMRA gauge to check.

This issue with the wheels riding up while going through the frog/guard rail area, is my biggest challenge. This also seems to affect my #8 turnouts more than my #6s, and #5s.

_________________
Chris Zygmont
Rush Island & Western - blog of my N Scale layout