Special Built Code 80 Turnout

[billincarmel]

Have contracted for a special built code 80 #8 LH turnout. I will upgrade this post when I receive it.
Many thanks to Dave Schneider for his help.

[ednadolski]

It's not at all hard or expensive to do your own, and it can be very rewarding.  I would encourage anyone to give it a try.

This is Code 55, but C80 would be done the same way:  http://www.pmrr.org/Articles/Trackwork/TurnoutsScratchbuild.htm

Andy Reichart's P:87 website also features N-scale turnout templates:   http://www.proto87.com/handlaid_track_templates.html

There are many folks here, including myself, who are more than happy to answer any questions you might have.

Regards,
Ed

[billincarmel]

That is a very good tutorial but I would have a hard time doing it with success. I would like to replace a Peco large left hand turnout- code 80 that gives me a problem now and then. It is hard to reach for maintenance. I would like to purchase a handmade turnout rather than buying all of the supplies to make my own. I am not an accomplished and highly skilled modeler like my fellow forumers and am hoping someone will make and sell me one.
Thanks for your very thoughtful and informative response.
oldbill
Bill Myrvold
Carmel, Indiana

[Dave Schneider]

Bill,

I sent you an email with the contact information for a person who built some custom trackwork for me. Not sure if he can help but I thought I would pass this on.

Have you thought about having a code 55 switch built and then just make a transition to the code 80? If the custom switch is made in the typical way of soldiering and gluing to the ties you shouldn't have an issue with large flanges hitting spikes as you would with an Atlas code 55 switch. I don't have any experience joining these two track types but it is easier than building a switch from scratch. You might be able to convince a custom builder to make a couple of short transition pieces for you if need be.

Best wishes, Dave

[billincarmel]

Dave, thanks for the contact info. I am having a custom code 80 #8 turnout fabricated shortly.

[inkaneer]

That is a very good tutorial but I would have a hard time doing it with success. I would like to replace a Peco large left hand turnout- code 80 that gives me a problem now and then. It is hard to reach for maintenance. I would like to purchase a handmade turnout rather than buying all of the supplies to make my own. I am not an accomplished and highly skilled modeler like my fellow forumers and am hoping someone will make and sell me one.
Thanks for your very thoughtful and informative response.
oldbill
Bill Myrvold
Carmel, Indiana

What is the problem with the Peco turnout?  If it is derailments then  you should know that the Peco code 80 turnouts were designed for European standards and have some slop built into them.  Specifically, the guard rail flange ways are too wide at the frog area and will cause derailments.  Nothing that cannot be easily fixed.  The most common and easiest fix is to glue a strip of .01 styrene to the guard rail [in the flangeway] This will narrow the flangeway to standard specs.  The better fix is to use the Peco code 55 turnouts.  These are termed "fine scale" and do not have the problems associated with the code 80.   Check the turnout with a NMRA gauge.

[billincarmel]

Dave, please send me your Fasttracks contact again. I had to reinstall AOL and have lost all of my saved mail.
I need his mailing address so that I can send him a postal money order.
Thanks,
Bill Myrvold
Eamail: wcm193329@aol.com

[Dave Schneider]

Email sent to you. Happy to help.

Best wishes, Dave