For Scaletrax Experts: Integrating an RCS #8 Curved Turnout vs. Scratchbuilding a Scaletrax Curved Turnout

David:

It was Ted Hikel who did indeed scratch build a couple (or more) Scaletrax curved switches for the NWTL.  I believe he was able to purchase the frogs from Steve at Ross Custom Switches.  Sadly I don't have an email address for Ted and it looks like he hasn't visited the forum since last week.  Both Hikel brothers missed the last York, but in recent emails with Dave, he told me they are both planning to make York in October.  If I happen to hear form either of them, I'll let them know you're looking for help.

You might try talking to Steve at Ross, he might be able to help.

Seem like a daunting challenge, Good Luck!

Pat, thanks for confirming my hunch!  I will chase down a few options and see what I come up with.  The thought of having a scratch-built curved turnout has a "cool" touch to it -- whether it be appearance, novelty, or perhaps just an overall sense-of-accomplishment.    However, I also know these exotic pieces of trackwork can bring operational challenges to the scene from time to time.  Case in point... how many folks actually have used an Atlas-O double-slip switch despite how "cool" it may look?  

Meanwhile, after taking an afternoon break from layout-tweaking, I re-examined this portion of the layout again and was "inspired" to come up with an alternate design that just uses existing stock pieces of MTH Scaletrax (i.e., #6 turnouts and sectional curves).  It required some minor adjustments to the diagonal tracks leading into this area (outside the close-up photo), but all in all may prove to be a worthwhile compromise when weighing the pros/cons of scratchbuilding a turnout vs. using stock pieces of Scaletrax.  Not sure why this alternate approach didn't hit me sooner!!! 

I still wouldn't mind hearing from anyone who's scratch-built an MTH curved turnout though.  Just curious to hear of your experiences! 

David

Hi David,

As far as I know, there are 11 curved ScaleTrax switches in the world.  Ten of them are on the NorthWest Trunk Lines and one is on Rich Battista's Black Diamond RR.  All of them are patterned off of Ross #6 and #8 curved switches.  Steve was kind enough to sell us his CNC machined delrin plastic frogs and RossBed foam bases for use as templates.  The frogs had to be sanded down from .215" to .193" to match ScaleTrax, which was fussy but not terribly difficult. We used O Scale sugar pine ties, which are available from several vendors, and are a perfect match for ScaleTrax ties.  The rail came from disassembling ScaleTrax flex.  The gaurd rails were fabricated using code 148 rail and spiked on top of Right-O-Way ties plates.  Here's a look at a #8 LH curve.

Ted assembled all the ScaleTrax compatible custom switches we have built to date.  However, he left it me to make all the points, which is probably the fussiest part of the project.  All the points were fabricated from ScaleTrax rail on a belt sander.  Once the point was properly shaped I solder small brass tabs to the inside edge of each point and drilled them out for attachment to the throwbar.   I also soldered brass tacks to the under side of each point to make a pivot pin.   We used #1-72 machine screws to assemble the points to the throwbars.  The NWTL uses Tortoise switch machines, so we weren't worried about duplicating the magnetic throwbars.  One thing that Ted has OFTEN criticized about my points is that they are VERY pointy!  He often refers to them as hypodermic points.   All I can tell you is that they have proven every bit as reliable as any stock ScaleTrax or even Ross switch.

There is definitely a cool factor and a bit of pride that goes into have some hand laid track on your layout.  Having an excellent switch to copy, like the Ross curved switches, makes the construction pretty straight forward.  Is hand laying all that difficult?  No.  However, I would not say the process is particularly easy.  It's a good project for an intermediate level craftsman.

Hi Dave,

Thanks SO MUCH for your input.  This is EXACTLY what I was looking for, and your scratch-built curved turnouts look spectacular!!!  The curved turnout in the track-plan close-up in my original post is an RCS #8 LH.  I love the idea of sourcing the frogs from Steve at RCS, and the Rossbed foam roadbed would be an excellent base for the scratch-built switch.  Ingenious idea! 

I'm also planning to use Tortoise switch machines for all the Scaletrax turnouts on my layout.

I will keep you posted if my layout becomes a home for the 12th curved Scaletrax turnout.    Probably would only have one, but that would be enough for me.

Thanks again, Dave, for chiming in here!!!  Folks, this is precisely why this forum is such a great resource.  Lots of talented model train enthusiasts with ingenious ideas that they're willing to share!!!   

David