Wiring Custom-Built Switches

[NW Modeling List]

I have handlaid a LOT of switches including double slips and some oddballs.

I modded my frogmaking to using the straight rail thru the frog as my 
frog on the end, I file the frog point there, the angle, my angle might 
not even be perfectly accurate, its when you gauge the track you do some 
tweaking.
I then make a notch on the frog rail a little past the frog on the 
curved side portion (diverging) to insert the diverging rail which is 
angle filed and laid into the frog rail. If you've done some hand laying 
you will see what I mean.
It eliminates the split frog rail, I don't even solder fill.

But I like the Central Valley Switch kits, you get a cast made frog and 
made up points that have detail, I have a module made with these, it was 
practically required because no standard turnout would work on the module.

For cutting gaps, spike down securely the rails the gap is. You can use 
epoxy to fill the gap, that will help secure them and keep them from 
moving and will be insulated.

I have never used fast tracks, its a file, wire cutter, or rail nipper, 
black permanent marker, NMRA Gauge, 2 needle nose pliers, and a vise.

For the points you want the points to remain the same polarity (side) as 
the rail they touch, you will then cut a gap nearer to the frog, the 
points might be rail-joined for the moving arc, this stops shorts, and 
you use some switch machine electrical toggle to power the frog. This 
was done on the club layout I was in back in the 80s...PRE-DCC, ran 
perfectly.
Most turnouts on the layout were handlaid, having learned the lesson 
from previous layouts, they WORKED.

-Lynn-

On 5/8/2014 9:33 AM, nw-modeling-list-request at nwhs.org wrote:

> Date: Thu, 8 May 2014 08:30:55 -0500

> From: NW Modeling List<nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>

> Subject: Wiring Custom-Built Switches

> To:<nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>

> Message-ID:<000f01cf6ac1$bd7641b0$3862c510$@cox.net>

> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>

> I agree that using Fast Tracks filing aids and soldering templates

> significantly improves the quality of hand-built switches.  My question is

> about wiring custom-built switches.  Like many articles I have read, I fill

> the frog/closure rail area with solder and then file grooves.  I have been

> cutting gaps in both closure rails and just beyond the frog and then

> power-routing the frog.  I am concerned that cutting these gaps increases

> the possibility of miss-alignment of the rails.  Has anyone had problems

> with shorts between stock rails and closure rails using DCC?  Is a slightly

> wider gap between the closure and stock rail adequate to prevent a short?

>

>   

>

> Gordon Todd

>

> Omaha, NE

>

> gltodd at cox.net