Just got the June MR - noticed an article about building closed-frog turnouts - the closure, points, and wing rails all in one piece, and swivel from a point halfway between the frog point and the end of the switch points.
Talk about a case of “deja vu all over again!” Tru-Scale Models was selling these switches back in the late 1950s. Called them their “Hi-Speed” switches. be nice to have them made commercially again…
What goes around, comes around… [:D]
Sounds interesting. I"ll have to go look in my mailbox to see if my June MR came in. [:-^]
Yep!! I remember the True-Scale turnouts back then. [tup]
AC Gilbert built those into his American Flyer switches in the 40s.
Rich
And MR had an article about building your own about 50 to 60 years ago and if i ever get the ambition, maybe I’ll actually search for it in my mag. file. TTFN…papasmurf
Way cool turnouts. There were several of them on the real Rock Island main line between Wichita and Herrington KS. I have several of the Tru-Scale ones that I keep just for a template of how to build them.
And similar to what you say, “… The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be … and there is no new thing under the sun.”
Not quite 50 years ago papa. The article was “Handlaying high-speed turnouts” by James R. Barrante in the September 1981 MR. I was thinking about trying to build one of these and up comes the June MR with the “newer” version.
Joe
I still have two of the True Scale turnouts mounted on milled roadbed that I put together from kits sometime around 1963.
I don’t think they will ever wear out.
This is very interesting from 2 viewpoints; first I suspect this option would be economical to employ except for the chiropractor bills from hunching over the work surface. Secondly I hate doing maintenance. I would hope this type of turnout would be excellent electrically.
Here is my problem. I’ve never hand laid any track or turnouts in my life. I would be great if there we’re video demonstrating the construction and operation. It’s a great article to generate interest, but leaves out enough information to prevent people like me from trying it on my own.
Regards,
Roberto
Roberto,
There is a learning curve to hand laying turnouts, the first two or three will not be perfect.
And, it is best learned by watching someone do it, no doubt.
IMHO, NO turnout should rely on the movable points for electrical contact, or in this case the points and frog. In the article a wire was routed to the movable section and wired to a switch machine contact to insure good electrial properties. Having used similar turnouts wired that way, I asure you they are very good electricially.
When the need arises for turnouts larger than #8 or for curved turnouts, closed frog turnouts are my choice.
Sheldon
We tried some on the Club layout, and found that the weight of locomotives taking the curved side tended to move the switch-rails away from contact with the Frog-point, even at low speeds. The “cure” is placing the actuating spring, or wire as near to the frog as possible. This applies pressure where it is needed most, at the place where a locomotive would be most likely to force a gap between the frog-point and the moveable guard-rail. This is mostly in the curved direction of the turnout, as a straight-through direction puts no pressure on the moveable switch rails.
One of the theories about closed-frog turnouts is, or was, doing away with guard rails opposite the frog inside of the outside rail of the turnout in the given direction. It is always a good idea to have them, in all events, for prototypical appearance and assurance that the wheels will not “jump” at the frog.
Wooden “milled roadbed” was a quality but a-bit-pricey product back in those days of yester-year.
Tru Scale was a quality item in its day. Still seen at swap meets. They had pre-made track with integral roadbed, milled roadbed without rails, and plain roadbed on which you’d lay flex track or your own wood ties. Speaking to Roberto’s point above, about learning how to hand lay rail, Tru Scale’s milled roadbed, with the tie and a simulated tie plate cut into the wood, was also a great way to first learn how to hand lay track. That is, if you had the rail and the spikes and a track gauge you were ready to go.
Dave Nelson
My first handlaid turnout was built following that article and it turned out great: roughly a #10 and curved, too. I powered it using a PFM/Fulgurex switch motor and it was very reliable - a good thing as the installed turnout was in a deep cut not readily accessible.
Wayne
I know that this is an older post but thought the photo was relevant. (Taken May 2013)
That’s a single sprung frog. Hundreds of these were on the interurbans in the USA. There were also double sprung frogs. They were a smooth ride at high speed.
Randy
Not entirely for high speed. Mostly used in busy yards to eliminate wheel pounding and frog point wear to minimize maintenance. Especially the old chilled wheels that were prone to cracking. Some may call them the ribbed back wheels but actually some chilled wheels had smooth backs. This diagram is dated 1900.
http://prr.railfan.net/standards/standards.cgi?plan=56687-E
Notice that this diagram states not to be used in main running tracks.
Pete