Do you have a turnout kit either started or still in the box

[hayfield]

I was just wondering how many have been tempted to buy a turnout kit, then either left it in the bag or made a start and put it to one side.

 

What it is and why its not started/finished would be interesting

 

[Paul Cram]

I have built one. Took a couple of hours, no problem but then I have built lots of points from scratch. I don't really understand why people say they can't and the kits just about falls together. The hardest part is getting the chairs on in the right order.

 

Edit: I should point out it was a P4 exactoscale kit.

[The Stationmaster]

I have a C&L one and it's still in the bag mainly because I've never had the opportunity to get on with it - yet.

[hayfield]

I have a old C&L one, dint know I had it till the other week when I sold all my EM stuff on Ebay though

 

It looks a reyt load of faffing about compared to either doing it meself or one of them easy to do kits they do now though....ome for the museum shelf alongside all them 9 foot sleepers and rivets I think

 

I agree with you about the rivets and the C&L kits need a bit more work than the fall together Exactoscale kits, but with the common crossing ready built and the switch blades machined, it must be both easier and quicker than doing all of it yourself. I find setting out the sleepers takes time and both the Exactoscale kits and Timber tracks frets  save loads of time

 

I have built one. Took a couple of hours, no problem but then I have built lots of points from scratch. I don't really understand why people say they can't and the kits just about falls together. The hardest part is getting the chairs on in the right order.

 

Edit: I should point out it was a P4 exactoscale kit.

 

Not made one yet but my friend built his without any gauges. There is a knack to the chairs, firstly I make notes next to the sleepers where the non standard chairs go, secondly I dress the rail ends where the chairs slide on. I also find it easier to slide the chairs on where possiable with the chairs still attached to the sprue. Check rail chairs go on best with the check rail fitted on them first. The special chairs for the switch and common crossing need a little thought first time round, but the first time you do anything takes longer

I have a C&L one and it's still in the bag mainly because I've never had the opportunity to get on with it - yet.

 

I have plenty of loco and rolling stock kits sitting on the shelf for the same reason, this looks like a candidate for a new years resolution !!

 

Anyone got stuck with a kit or unsure where to start?

[hayfield]

Mickey

 

Welcome to the thread, which Society's gauges ? please tell us more

[Re6/6]

I've still got four of Colin Craig's flatbottom kits waiting to be built for the new Matford. (third in line after the new house and Balcombe/viaduct!)

 

They are remarkably true to prototype. I started one and it is challenging (in a nice way!) to build but with care and attention a superb result is possible.

 

http://colincraig4mm.co.uk/#/s-c/4532599929  ...no connection other than a very satisfied customer. I'll be even more satisfied when I get to finish the one and do some more!

[hayfield]

John

 

They do look very good, but may frighten off the less experienced modeller and they are large turnouts.

 

I have been wanting to build a flatbottom turnout using code 82 rail and the C&L ST base plates (chairs). Finding photos is hard and most of the modern era photos I have seen is flatbottom track for the plain sections and bullhead for the turnouts. Have the parts just need the inspiration, a bit of time and block chair detail

[Re6/6]

Have a look at this thread John. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/19939-flat-bottom-switch-crossing-work/

 

 

Quite a nice selection put up by 'James'

[hayfield]

John

 

Thanks that's very helpfull

[Michael Woolford]

I have a kit that I bought at Warley this year. Just haven't had the time to have a go yet.

 

Michael

[hayfield]

I have a kit that I bought at Warley this year. Just haven't had the time to have a go yet.

 

Michael

 

 

I have a couple of basic C&L kits and thought about starting a thread after Christmas ( step by step build) where those who have kits may be encouraged to build them and show/share their progress.  And where we can share tips with each other

[Debs.]

I`m afraid I date from the Brook-Smith (P4) days; just punches, rivets and Xerox-copy templates..........no kits to be had back then!

 

We couldn`t have imagined then, just how wonderfully-finely detailed that homemade trackwork might become.

[10800]

Several P4 Track Co C10s waiting to be turned into the basis of the main junctions at Lewes - diamonds and tandems to be hand built.

[hayfield]

Several P4 Track Co C10s waiting to be turned into the basis of the main junctions at Lewes - diamonds and tandems to be hand built.

 

Sorry have no P4 Track Co kits (but lots of their special chairs), still nothing stopping you joining in and making us envious at the simplicity and how detailed they are.

[jcm@gwr]

I've started a Marcway 3-way kit in 7mm.

 

Slight delay in progress though, due to

distortion in the cast, brass frogs. (it is

an old kit, found in my local model shop,

and got for a mere £20, quite recently.)

 

Hopefully, I will make progress over the

Xmas hols.

 

Jeff

[hayfield]

Several P4 Track Co C10s waiting to be turned into the basis of the main junctions at Lewes - diamonds and tandems to be hand built.

 

 

Sorry have no P4 Track Co kits (but lots of their special chairs), still nothing stopping you joining in and making us envious at the simplicity and how detailed they are.

 

Rod

 

The idea of this thread is to firstly to see how many members have un-built kits (more I guess than will own up to it). Secondly perhapps to start a thread where we can encourage those who have either not summoned up the courage or have started and got stuck to build them. Thirdly for those who think building turnouts is either too hard or beyond their skills to have a go.

 

I thought that if I (and others) started building a kit we may encourage others to start, finish or have a go r one. And if anyone had questions or they got stuck we could help them out.

 

As for the P4 Track Co kits, a lot has been said about how easy it is to build them. But as far as I know no one has posted photos on RMweb of a kit let alone a build. Thought this would be a good idea

 

I use the Special chairs to super detail 4mm turnouts in P4, EM, 00-SF and 00 gauges, so whilst using P4 Track Co components, not as originally intended. I hope this clears up the confusion

[hayfield]

I've started a Marcway 3-way kit in 7mm.

 

Slight delay in progress though, due to

distortion in the cast, brass frogs. (it is

an old kit, found in my local model shop,

and got for a mere £20, quite recently.)

 

Hopefully, I will make progress over the

Xmas hols.

 

Jeff

 Jeff

 

You may be better off building a new common crossing anyway, would be good to not only see some copperclad construction but also 7mm scale

[hayfield]

All this talk of track is making my fingers itch...... but I cant build it in N and dont want to do it in OO.....self bought xmas pressie* from the Society I reckon.....

 

 

or a few of em, gauges are families...you get the whole lot at once

 

 

I sold all my Em stuff not long ago to get over some acute poverty

 

 

Mickey sorry to hear that, hopefully 2014 will be a lot better. 

 

Building in N gauge is not impossible (I even fancy having a go at the 2mm system like C&L with plastic sleepers)

 

What scale/gauge wets your appetite ?

[hayfield]

I`m afraid I date from the Brook-Smith (P4) days; just punches, rivets and Xerox-copy templates..........no kits to be had back then!

 

We couldn`t have imagined then, just how wonderfully-finely detailed that homemade trackwork might become.

 

 

I remember Studiolith parts becoming available 40+ years ago. I bought some parts including a punch (sold in the end to John Redrup of London Road Models), but was disillusioned by not being able to buy parts. Managed to find the parts and tools now and had a go at rivet construction, but what a pain!!  I do watch in admiration at those who still use that method (and dont burn sleepers), but modelling has moved on. We have 2 layouts at the club which used this method, constantly having to maintain the track, with the odd re-soldering and replacing half chairs

 

A great pity so few build their own track, and if only 7mm had the range of special chairs we in 4mm have, you could really see the extra detail these chairs have.

[cromptonnut]

Half built C&L O gauge one, halted due to a house move and remained in the box ever since.

 

Too much like hard work for me, to be perfectly honest...

[hayfield]

Half built C&L O gauge one, halted due to a house move and remained in the box ever since.

 

Too much like hard work for me, to be perfectly honest...

 

 

If its half built then most of the work has been done. The 7 mm kits are a bit more basic than the 4 mm ones which come with ready built common crossings and switch rails, and 7mm rail does take a bit more filing.

[10800]

John

 

Thanks for the clarification - and Merry Christmas.

 

The only thing that has stopped me building them is time - when I do I'll report progress!

[Paul Cram]

As requested a picture of a completed P4 track company kit.

 

[jcm@gwr]

 Jeff

 

You may be better off building a new common crossing anyway, would be good to not only see some copperclad construction but also 7mm scale

 

John

 

I thought about it, but, as this my first attempt, I decided to stick with the full kit.

Once I have got a bit more experience, I might give it a go. Trouble is, I only need

1 3-way for my shunting puzzle (club/exhibition) layout, so I would then need to 

learn how to use Templot (and sort out the printer problems!)

 

I have been keeping a photographic record, and when I get a bit further with the kit

I will have to spend some time learning how to upload/post some photos.

 

Jeff

[Flymo748]

As for the P4 Track Co kits, a lot has been said about how easy it is to build them. But as far as I know no one has posted photos on RMweb of a kit let alone a build. Thought this would be a good idea

 

Well, here's a few photos that I took for my blog.  This was the first time that I'd made a P4TrackCo kit, and it took me about two and a half hours to do it.  The two tips that I would say are:

 

- file the ends of the rails to make inserting the chair jaws easier

 

- gauges are essential _despite_ the moulded pips on the sleepers.

 

Here you go...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The build sequence should be fairly clear.  You assemble the various sections, then unite the whole thing.  For those that may not have examined one of these carefully, the crossing vee and the switch blades are pre-machined and soldered up into their respective units, ready for the chairs to be added and the parts located on the sleeper base.

 

Yes, I'd build another one (or several) when I had a need for it.  My current planned layout has all its turnouts on curves, and other various Templotted oddities to allow these units to be used unmodified.

 

HTH

Flymo