Can Twist Ties Turnout kits be built without the Fast Tracks assembly fixture (by a novice)? I emailed Fast Tracks this question but they never replied. Thanks
The Fast track system including the Twist ties are for experienced modelers who like to hand-lay their track. I have hand-laid track before and it takes a lot of patience and skill to do it right. If this is going to be your first attempt at hand-laying, don’t start with a turnout. Start by hand laying some straight and curved track first. That way you can get a feel for it, and you will find out if you really want to build hand-laid turnouts etc.
You might want to check out and possibly start with the Central Valley turnout kits. They use plastic tie strips that are pre-gauged. And their ties look good with good detail.
However, if you are bound and determined to try the Twist Ties, you should get and use the Fast Tracks assembly fixture.
Thanks for your reply. Several years ago I built a 2’x8’ diorama, all track was hand laid (in gauge), except the turnouts and the one crossover were RTR. As for Central Valley their track looks pretty nice but its kind of like some one sneaks into my house and disassembles my flex track and I put it back together. I really enjoyed building that diorama. I like the fact that I stained the ties various shades includes some grey. I thought it looked very realistic. I’m adding an engine service terminal next month and I really want to hand lay the track. I’m also going to start replacing my flex track with hand laid, starting with a small yard.
I found the Fast Track jig great and easy to use. I got the ones for dual gauge - HO and HOn3, and have been able to build lot of different combinations (dual, HO, HOn3 only, dual branching on only HO or HOn3, etc.) Found it more rewarding than hand laying, which can be very tedious, and work better that the store bought.
To answer your question, go to Fast track web site, page “Fast Tracks Document Library” one of the documents http://www.handlaidtrack.com/documents/ug16.pdf it explains how to build turnouts with fast tracks twist ties.
lou