Is there a way to create custom curved turnout templates to assist me in hand laying the turnouts? For example, a 30”/24” #6. Other sizes would be needed as well, that’s why I’m hoping there is something that will allow me to create them. In case it matters, I am currently using Anyrail for layout planning but can learn another program if needed.
Talk to fast tracks. They may ne able to assist you
1 Like
when i built a curved turnout, i couldn’t understand why commercial turnouts were so small when is saw that the frog was pretty far from the points
then i considered offsetting the starting point for each curve and found that it moved the frog closer to the points
ultimately i had to draw my own template knowing how to offset the centers of the two curves
i also built a rail bender to for uniformly curved rails
2 Likes
Curved turnouts are much more common in British practice than American, and I suspect there are companies in Britain or the Commonwealth that make gauges or jigs to facilitate construction.
It might be possible to 3D-print a suitable FastTracks-style jig in a material with suitable characteristics. A rail-bending device like the one Greg pictures would be invaluable in pre-bending the curves with correct ‘springback’ to fit the jig.
1 Like
If you don’t want to buy the metal jigs from Fast-Tracks, you can print out all sorts of different sized templates for turnouts and crossings from their website. I know guys that just custom-build their turnouts on top of these paper templates.
Hope this helps,
DFF
2 Likes
Ive done that with some turnouts. Mostly it was just the ones that i only need one of- a crossover, wye, and gauntlet track
Thank you all for the help. I will incorporate your suggestions.
I also communicated via email with Tim at Fast Tracks and received some great info there. I want to publicly thank him for the help with this (and a few other things) and recommend him to you as a good resource.
Thank you all!
1 Like
Gregc, your homemade rail bender is an outstanding idea!