In the early 1950’s MR had a series of articles on how to build your own turnouts, crossings, and even slip switches. The key take always were tips on how to pre- bend the rail before starting to file the points and frogs. While today I mostly use ROW castings, when I need a custom fit (like a long turnout built into a curve) I file my own points and frogs. The things required are ties, spikes, rail, track gauge, a good file, soldering iron, flux, solder, pliers, and a vice to hold the rail while you file the sides of the rail. Making your own points, frogs, and guard rails is not difficult. Anyone can do it - but it does require care, patience and additional time. It is well worth the effort to get a smooth flowing look to the track in special viewing locations. Custom turnouts also can be space savers on yard track ladders - check out the ladder on Dave Stewart’s A&O posted above.
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