Constructing handlaid N scale code 55 dual diamonds

[Coxy]

This is a pair of N scale code 55 diamonds I have been scratchbuilding for a friend in California. The rails are all individually cut and soldered to the pcb ties. Here's some pics from the construction:

Ties on tack film


Stock rails cut and ready for soldering


Some diamond and guard rails in place


Guard rails and outer diamond rails complete


All rails soldered in place


Cutting gaps


Gaps filled with styrene and CA


Then it was off to the layout deck for testing and fine tuning. There were no shorts and a few of the flangeways just needed a little TLC.

Here's the diamonds being tested with some short trains on each route.

A little bit of clean up and some feeders and it will be winging its way to the Bay Area.

- Steven

[ednadolski]

Nice Steve!

Ed

[DKS]

Très bien! Your friend should be very pleased indeed.

[GaryHinshaw]

Man that's really well done Steve - and solid!  I like the use of peg board for getting the gaps cut.  12 hours sounds pretty good for this project - it would have taken me at least that long.

Cheers,
Gary

[John]

what did you use to cut the gaps?

[tom mann]

Nice work!

[Zox]

what did you use to cut the gaps?

In the second-to-last photo, labeled "Cutting gaps," it shows a coping saw fed through a hole in a pegboard backer:



 I presume that's what he used.

[John]

I got that part Rob .. but whats the blade?

[Coxy]

Thanks Guys. I use a jewelers saw to cut the gaps. It is the best thing for cutting gaps (a recommendation from Tim Warris actually). It yields gaps about 10-15 thou which almost disappear, depending on your eyesight. I got my saw from Music Medic. Excellent value at $17. (http://www.musicmedic.com/catalog/products/tool-s100.html)

Music Medic has an interesting range of tools for working on musical instruments, some of which could be good for model railroading. (http://www.musicmedic.com/catalog/products.html)

These are diamonds number 2 and 3 for me. Diamonds are definitely more challenging than turnouts. Once you get going though, it is mostly about ensuring the rail pieces are shaped correctly. A benchtop sander is invaluable. The rest is basically persistence and patience.

Here's my set up:



You've probably encountered this too, the longer I stare at the diamonds, the more things I see that I want to redo or do differently. A few of the guard rails are a bit out of place. It doesn't affect how it operates but it catches my eye. I guess that's part of the learning experience.

Cheers,
Steven