More Track Work

Just a quick update.  I was able to install all the tracks, turnout controls, and wiring for the New Yard area of Georgetown.

Georgetown Trackwork

Yes I finally have some track working in Georgetown!  The main line and run around track are operational as is the brewery siding (the track Emily is park on). 

I deviated from the my track plan in a few locations as I laid everything out...

The first siding you come to as you enter Georgetown is Lone Star Cement. On the prototype this was a facing point turnout. On the plan I drew it was a trailing point turnout.  By using a #7.5 curved turnout I was able to go back to facing point and stay true to the prototype.

Same story with the brewery siding, I had drawn it in as a trailing point turnout to save space but when I  relocated the Lone Star Cement siding I was able to go back and fit in the facing point per the prototype.

In my excitement to lay track I completely forgot about the Wilkins Rodgers siding so that needs to be cut in soon.  That will also be a facing point siding that goes to a background building along the backdrop.

Below is the basic layout for the "New Yard" area.  The 2 tracks closest to the water (right) had a traveling crane over that spanned the two tracks with space in between for trucks.  The next two tracks (middle) are team tracks placed 1.75" apart with space on both sides for trucks.  Then main line tracks #1 and #2 (left).
Emily (far left) sites on the brewery siding.

I decided to leave out one other team track in the yard so the area was not over crowded and I would have space for vehicles.

Now back to building turnouts so I can get this track installed!!

More Turnout Tools

I spent most of today fabricating a couple of turnout tools.  The first tool is a frog rail grinding jig.

You start by laying in two pre cut sections of rail and bolt the jig together.  Then grind the rails on a disk sander.

 Next remove the rails, flip them over in the jig, clamp, then solder.

I removed relieved the area under the rails were you solder them together so the heat from the soldering iron would not be absorbed by the jig

The next tool I fabricated was a point rail grinding jig.  This clamp holds the rails at 2 degrees so I can grind them to shape on the disk sander.  Again just drop in a pair of pre cut rails and bolt on the top.

 Pictured below are the first pair of parts I made and they turned out great.

To Handlay or Not in Georgetown

After using the Micro Engineering code 70 turnouts and track I can honestly say I would never hand lay track again!  The turnouts look great and operate flawlessly.  At 17.00 each I can't see spending the time to hand lay track unless you need something other then #6's.

For now I still plan on using/reusing my hand laid turnouts in Georgetown.  Almost all the tracks in Georgetown are buried in cement (plaster) so only the PC ties will be required and minute track details won't be missed.

With that in mind my previous hand laid turnouts needed refreshing and some extra PC ties add for track support so I built an assembly jig out of 3/4" MDF using a #6 ME turnout as a template.  I milled 1/8" slots to the proper depth to hold the ties in place while assembling the turnout.  The jig can accommodate both left and right hand turnouts.