11-25-2010, 05:16 PM
Well #8 minimum is a great goal - just what minium RADIUS are you planning for this pike? The smallest radius in a turnout is the radius of the closure rail (RCR) and a #6 has an RCR of 43". Unless you are using a much larger curve radius, it's fairly pointless except for cosmetic reasons to use a #8 as anything less than the RCR of the turnouts is the actual limit as far as what sort of equipment can get through reliably. It might be more reasonable to plan #6's for most places with a couple of #8's out front for a nice mainline crossover or something up front where everyone can see it.
There are tricks to the Fast Tracks jigs, lke using the double crossover to build not only double and single crossovers but individual turnouts as well as crossings. So one jig does a lot. 3-2ays, you're on your own. I was going to use Fat Tracks jigs on my current layout, but after trying a few turnouts, it's just not for me so I went back to my old reliable Atlas.
--Randy
There are tricks to the Fast Tracks jigs, lke using the double crossover to build not only double and single crossovers but individual turnouts as well as crossings. So one jig does a lot. 3-2ays, you're on your own. I was going to use Fat Tracks jigs on my current layout, but after trying a few turnouts, it's just not for me so I went back to my old reliable Atlas.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad of the 1950's in HO
Visit my web site to see layout progress and other information:
http://www.readingeastpenn.com
Visit my web site to see layout progress and other information:
http://www.readingeastpenn.com