Fast Tracks

I'm interested in the fast tracks jigs and have watched the full video. As a relative beginner to modelling, I thought it looked surprisingly easy. However there was one part which 'frightened' me. Constructing the vees and the switchblades looked easy with the jig, but the filing of the the notch in the stock rail for the switch blade to sit snugly into looked tricky. On the video a belt sander was used, now with machinary, I tend to be a bit over zealous and end up ruining things. So I ask, is it possible to file the notch with an ordinary file and is it easy?

Most of us actually do just file. The trick is to use a good full sized 8" to 10" or so mill file. The same good large file used to file the points and the frog rails.

The key is to support the rail well - I use a grooved plate that holds the rail sideways. It's a bit of extra work - slower than a belt, but for me it allows better control.

First timers tend to not file enough rather than too much. After one or two efforts - you'll get the hang of things just fine. Don't be afraid to just get started and be willing to redo things at first.

_________________
-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.

What about plain track, I don't think I could tolerate individual spiking of the rail to sleepers, so do the point kits match micro engineering flexitrack or peco 83 flexitrack?

That depends on you. When you order a turnout fixture - you specify the rail that you choose to use for turnout construction. Note that the ME c70 rail fixtures will work with ME c70, ME c83, C&L c75, and LaVancil c81 rails. I'm not certain about the Peco c75 or the Peco c83 rails or the Walthers and Shinohara offerings. Know that Atlas c83 is separate and distinct for certain.

Many do choose to only handlay their turnouts and get the extra details for plain track that the commercial flex track does offer. There's not the huge difference in cost savings for plain track that you get with the turnouts. You MAY have to do some sanding or shimming where the plain track matches up with the turnouts - but the differences are minor and easily done on site at installation.

Choose your plain track flex. Be certain you can get bulk rail to match. Order your turnout fixtures for the chosen rail - you'll be on your way.

_________________
-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.