Paul Cram

Very fine teeth and does a lovely quick job. 4 done in 2 minutes.

I tend to use a combination of 3 limks and jacksons. I only put jacksons on the end that will be uncoupled for shunting and run some wagons in blocks. I am currently building some slaters 20 ton hoppers and need to preserve the axle boxes and springs. I have found it is quite quick to cut them off the W iron using a fine piercing saw.

Try rolling it across the bench. If it goes straight then you will not have a problem. If it wanders off line then you will need to correct. Also make sure that the wheels are in line along the body as this can have an effect. It is easy to have one offfset slightly form the other and not notice.

Looks good. I have used this approach on slaters kits as their mouldings are very nice. I do detach the axlebox from the spring as I tend to compensate rather than spring my rolling stock. I have used springing where it is difficult to get a compenstion unit in. On vans and wagons that I am putting a load in I tend to turm the floor over as it saves all that chopping and filing.

Paul

In answer to your question yes you are on the right track (exscuse the pun) with regard to guaging the second rail. Are you hoping for a continuous run? Is that why the radius is critical? On the layout I am building it is on a very slight continuous curve which was achieved by curvibfg the templates. THe rails were then laid to these and guaged accordingly..

The first piece of advice re templates is just use them as a guide and always guage with gauges. The template is lost under the ballast any way. Whilst it may appear to be a lot of work with a little practice it doesn.t take that long to lay. Points can be bilt in situ and more realistic formations can be made.

C&L used to do 2 bolt chairs. I believe Exactoscale does. Exactoscale should be able to provide a template. I am one of the people who does notice the track which is why I moved to P4 a long time ago. There are lots of very well modelled layouts that are let down by the look of the track and for me it is a major detractor.