I am a bit slow in getting back to everyone. Tonight was the meeting of the
Twin Cities Division of the NMRA and I had two presentations. The first was on
Scenic view blocks using examples on Steve Doyle's layout and ones I am working
on. Steve's layout has such outstanding examples, helping the presentation be
so well received. The second was a set of photos taken in 53 and 54 of
railroading around the Minneapolis. Really amazing photos for the "railroad"
detail they contain. None of the old roster shot slide shows.
On to the turnouts. I built one number 5 turnout using the fast tracks jig with
the exception of the guard rails and the frog portion that creates a guard
rail. I constructed these separate and made the clearance larger not the
standard clearance used for scale operations. I gave this to Jeff Saine and he
has since made perhaps 6 more. He runs American Models and S Helper Service
equipment. Don't know if he has any old American Flyer but I have never seen
it on the railroad. I don't know if any of the new Flyer is being used but that
would be an interesting trial. These turnouts are very smooth and work with
his equipment without flaw. We ran some scale equipment through the turnouts
and they went through the straight and diverging routes without problem. Can't
say why for sure, wouldn't guarantee it would take everything just that it
worked for our samples. Interesting thing for me is that a turnout can be made
in about 30 minutes, it does not cost an arm and leg and I think when weathered
looks great. I would love to build one for Brooks and let him install it to
see what he thinks.
I made the sample just to see if it would work, thinking if it did, it would
save time and money for the local guys who run larger flanges. As Jeff
develops his layout, I think there may be another opportunity to build
something a bit more exotic just to see if it works. If there is any
challenge, it is transitioning from the larger rail to the code 100. I keep
telling him there is a good market for the large rail, sell it off while the
market is hot, code 100 flex track works just fine. Let's see now, Jeff uses
deep flanges, Kadee style couplers, runs no AF and uses code 100 rail the same
as scalers. Don't think he is a high railer but then again we don't worry
about such trivial things here in the Pines and Prairies S Scale Workshop where
we enjoy model railroading in S Scale.
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