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#6 Right Hand Turnout

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#8 Right Hand Turnout

Construction – 40 pts

The #8 right hand turnout was scratch built in Z scale. The turnout was constructed using a "Fast Tracks" turnout jig and frog-point jig. The PC ties were placed in the turnout jig first and the various rails were soldered to the PC ties. Wood ties were derived from a "Fast Tracks" product called "QuickSticks" which was a set of laser-cut ties designed specifically for a #8 turnout in Z scale. The construction was complex because of the 10 – 12 steps of the construction process. The main complexity was however, the very close tolerances that must be maintained for good operation at Z scale.

The turnout was mounted on a mini-layout constructed of precision cut poplar board. After the mini-layout was constructed 1/16" basswood was used to raise the cork and track above the surrounding terrain. Ballast and track details were added to the mini-layout.

 

Detail – 20 pts

The Z scale turnout was made up of twenty four (24) individual pieces of code 55 rail, pc ties, wood ties and wire. Several turnouts were constructed and abandoned before the construction process was worked out. Difficulty arose in getting the very close tolerances accomplished so that operation was smooth. The rail and ties were initially painted Weathered Black. After the turnout and related hand laid rail and ties were glued to the cork roadbed a coat of special mixed brown (black and red added) was painted on the rail sides to create a rusted appearance. Along both sides of the turnout and related hand laid track is a drain ditch found in most prototypical trackage. The wood tie spacing is 22 scale inches on the branch line and 24 scale inches on the spur siding. A random assortment of ground foam was used to give some context to the mini-layout. Also adding to the context of the turnout is a mile marker (gray with mile "753") and an underground cable marker (orange). Splotches of discoloration along and between the tracks were added to mimic oil and grease spills of a prototype. Fine gray ballast was selected for the model. It was observed that in the Dallas area gray, brown and white ballast can be found. In the area where my main layout is to be modeled after, gray and white ballast is prevalent.

The track diagram is shown below.

               

The wiring diagram is shown below. Note that there are two power sources. One supplies variable voltage and polarity for locomotive power and the other supplies direct current battery voltage to operate the turnout motor.

               

 

Conformity – 30 pts

The Z Scale turnout was constructed using a jig that conforms to NMRA turnout standards. The "QuickSticks" turnout wood ties also conform to NMRA turnout standards. The wood ties on the related track are sized according to prototypical ties. Tie spacing is 22 scale inches on center for the branch line and 24 scale inches for the siding. The rail tops are shiny to suggest frequent use and the sides of the rail are a rusty finish to suggest the typical rusting that takes place after only a short time in everyday weather. Gray ballasting was used to conform to the track at the Inwood Yard in Far North Dallas. Drain ditches are present to symbolize typical track drainage. The switch stand, mile marker and underground cable marker are prototypical in height, distance from track and color. Reference photos are in the project binder.

Finishing and Lettering – 10 pts

The Z scale turnout was constructed from un-weathered code 55 stock rails, pc ties soldered to the rail and wood ties glued to the rail. The turnout was finished with a coat of Weathered Black then a special brown color mix was applied to the rail sides to create a rust look on the rails. The gray ballast finishes the general turnout appearance as well as the variety of ground foam to round out the context of the model. The switch stand is set up as a siding (or minor) switch stand and thus has a yellow although very weathered diamond shaped flag.

 

Scratch Building – 25 pts

The Z scale turnout is hand laid using a jig to hold the rails and pc ties at the correct gauge and bend. The wood ties are an assembly of laser cut wood ties designed to ease construction and meet NMRA spacing and sizing specifications. Although commercial jigs were used, cutting, bending and soldering techniques were very important to making the hand laid turnout construction possible. The frog was constructed using a frog-point jig. Two pieces of rail were soldered together in a jig to make a #8 frog for the turnout. The related track was hand laid using code 55 rail stock and hand cut wood ties. The hand applied ballast was applied very sparingly since at Z scale a single grain of ballast can ruin a Z scale locomotive.

List of Materials (all parts are exempt)

A. Turnout

2 – Micro Engineering Code 55 Stock rails

2 – Micro Engineering Code 55 Frog Point rails

2 – Micro Engineering Code 55 Closure rails

2 – Micro Engineering Code 55 Guard rails

10 – Fast Tracks PC Board Ties

1 – Fast Tracks Quick Sticks Wood Tie Set

1 – Lot Fast Tracks Rosin Core Solder – 0.003" dia

1 – Lot Acid Flux

1 – 18" Green wire #26 stranded – cut to length

2 – 18" Red wire #26 stranded – cut to length

2 – 18" Black wire #26 stranded – cut to length

Mini-Layout

1 - ½" X 6" x 24" Poplar wood board

2 – ½" x 4" x 12" Poplar wood board

2 – ½" x ¾" x 5-1/2" Poplar wood board

1- Lot Testors "Green" glue

3 – 1/16" x 2" x24" Basswood

1 – Lot IBL Cork Road Bed

8 – ¾" Sheetrock screws

1 – Circuitron Tortoise switch machine

1 – Circuitron Remote Tortoise switch mount

1 – 8 position terminal board

1 – 18" Green wire #26 stranded – cut to length

6 – 18" Red wire #26 stranded – cut to length

6 – 18" Black wire #26 stranded – cut to length

1 – 18" White wire #26 stranded – cut to length

1 – 18" Gray wire #26 stranded – cut to length

1 – 18" Red/Black zip Cord with Molex connector & pins/sockets

1 – Battery pack with "AA" batteries, holder and wire clip

1 – Frog Throw Switch

1 – Lot various Woodland Scenic ground covers

1 – Lot Half-Half white glue & water

1 – Evergreen #218 - .020" diameter styrene rod (Underground Marker)

1 – Lot Polly Scale GTW Morency Orange (Underground Marker)

2 – Evergreen #240 - .040" diameter styrene half-round rod (Switch Stand)

2 – Evergreen #102 - .010" x .040" styrene strip (Switch Stand)

1 – Evergreen #103 - .010" x .060" styrene strip (Switch Stand)

1 – Lot Polly Scale Railbox Yellow mixed with Polly Scale E/L Gray (Switch Stand)

1 – Lot Floquil Weathered Black (Switch Stand)

1 – Lot Poly Scale E/L Gray (Mile Marker)

1 – Reduced digital photo image of mile "753"

6 – Micro Engineering Code 55 Stock rails

200 – Wood ties (hand cut to correct length)

1 – Lot Woodland Scenics #B75 Fine Gray Ballast

1 – Lot various ground foam by Woodland Scenics