Fast Tracks

Hi Tim/Ron,

I sent this inquiry to your "service" E-mail address a few days ago... I'm posting it here just in case you guys get to it first, or I somehow deleted your response by accident...

I was wondering if I could order a HOn30 Code 70/#7 or #8 frog turnout fixture with flangeways at the frog and guard rails machined for 0.032" clearance. I believe your standard fixture has the rails butted base to base which yields about a 0.039" flangeway.

Being a perfectionist, I'd really like a fixture machined for the 0.032" clearance. I would rather not use a standard fixture, filing the rail base, and sliding the wing rails closer to the frog point. Positive engagement of the wing rail base is preferred.

If it is possible, please advise on extra costs and how to order... I have a good sized order that I'm holding off on until I get a answer to this so I can have it all shipped together.

Thanks...

JB

JB,

I'm sure Tim or Ron will get back to you on pricing and schedule - but you need to know you'll still have to file the wing rail bases and/or the frog point bases as well. Code 70 rail will not allow butting up base to base and get the narrower flangeway.

I ordered up a standard HO custom gaged and custom flangeway to uses for FINE scale standards as well as fitting for Proto:87. In each case, I have to fit the rail bases by filing. With the fixture, however, the outside base grove forces the rails to the desired flangeway once I've filed then so they will fit into the grove. For the P87 use, I do have to file and fit closer and use gages to hold it together for soldering.

It's not all magic, the rails chosen will have some limits as to what can be done. Narrow fine scale (or PROTO) flangeways can only be accommodated with either custom or much smaller rails or by filing the common rail bases to allow for the rail heads to come closer.

_________________
-ed mccamey-
COSLAR RR - http://www.coslar.us/
NMRA Standards and Conformance Department
PROTO & FINE Scale Coordinator
I estimate I have about 5 pounds of coupler springs somewhere in the vicinity of my workbench.

Ed,

I realize that the rail base must be filed to be able to have the narrower flangeway spacing. Code 70 rail, base to base yields a flangeway spacing of about 0.039", Getting less than that most assuredly requires filing the rail base some.

My description was probably lacking in clarity... I'd like the fixture machined so that there is positive engagement between the unfiled portion of the rail base (the side facing away from the frog point) for the wing rail and the fixture...


JB

JB,

That they can do, PM a message to Tim and Ron, they'll work with you, but I know they are real busy - so it may be awhile before they can actually supply.

_________________
-ed mccamey-
COSLAR RR - http://www.coslar.us/
NMRA Standards and Conformance Department
PROTO & FINE Scale Coordinator
I estimate I have about 5 pounds of coupler springs somewhere in the vicinity of my workbench.