Another week, another panic as I realise how little progress I've made in the last week!

In the last few days I've managed to do a bit more work on the turnouts. These, as with the plain track, use Easitrac components. I'd previously stuck the turnout timbering down, so first job was to cut some rail (nickel silver code 40 bullhead) and start threading chairs.

(Photo courtesy Mick Simpson)

The chairs are tiny, but can be threaded onto the rail fairly easily if the rail end is slightly chamfered (I did lose a couple to the carpet gremlins though ). Anyway, after threading enough of the 3 types of chair (plain, check and slide) into position, the 'straight' stock rail was stuck down using MEK following the Templot plan underneath.

Next, I made a start assembling the crossing. There are a number of jigs available to assist with this;

As can be seen, the crossing vee has been assembled upside down in the RH jig (having been filed and soldered-up in the other jig on the left) and the wing rails added. The three shallow slots are to locate three strips of nickel silver which will be soldered to the underside of the rails to keep everything in place. Being a bit of a skinflint, I use bits of etch surround from wagon kits for these.

Here you can see the completed crossing laid in place on the sleepering. It's only loosely held at this stage - the plain chairs have yet to be added at each end to allow it to be fixed down. This is my second attempt at the crossing here - I wasn't 100% happy with this one or it's predecessor, so a third one is currently being made up in the same way. One thing I have found with 2mm modelling is that if you're not totally happy with something, it is best to remake it before you go any further. It only costs pence to solder up the crossings, but trying to correct one that had been fixed in position would be very frustrating!

One last photo brings the story up to date. Over the next week I hope to carry on with the trackwork and make a start on the wiring.

Andy