Switch building.
Sept, 2013. Now, since my track has only a 20' radius I have to build #4 switches. I get my Switch Frogs from Cannonball Ltd. Plus they have a booklet "How to build a switch" that I got. In the booklet it gives you the length of the ties and where to place the frog and points. GREAT booklet and well worth the money!
http://www.backyardrailroad.com/rail_cat.html
I found from the booklet that I could have used a #6 frog but it did not look right when I laid it out. Did not fit the curve of my rail the in a way I would like.
I have found I can use the Tangent jig to build the switches, either left or right. Just layout the ties in either direction for the switch. I have also marked where the frogs (left or right) go and have marked the numbered and length of the ties, where they go.
Again, I screw down the rail with #8x1" slotted hex head washer piercing zinc plated screws, just like the tangent (straight) or curved track panels. I drill holes through the flanges on the frogs and screw them right down to the ties. The points are made out of 1" channel iron on their side. I mill the top of the channel to make the points and fit them to the rail with a piece of 3/4 x 1/16" brass for the pivots. I also machine the top 3/8" in a tape down to about 1/16" where the wheels hit the points. I make the point throw bar out of 1"x 1/8" steel bar. The screws that attach the points to the throw bar are SS *#8-32 x 5/8". I set the spacing so that there is about 3/4" gap between the rail and the open points, so either gauge, 7 1/4" or 7 1/2", will clear without picking the points.
http://www.backyardrailroad.com/rail_cat.html
I found from the booklet that I could have used a #6 frog but it did not look right when I laid it out. Did not fit the curve of my rail the in a way I would like.
I have found I can use the Tangent jig to build the switches, either left or right. Just layout the ties in either direction for the switch. I have also marked where the frogs (left or right) go and have marked the numbered and length of the ties, where they go.
Again, I screw down the rail with #8x1" slotted hex head washer piercing zinc plated screws, just like the tangent (straight) or curved track panels. I drill holes through the flanges on the frogs and screw them right down to the ties. The points are made out of 1" channel iron on their side. I mill the top of the channel to make the points and fit them to the rail with a piece of 3/4 x 1/16" brass for the pivots. I also machine the top 3/8" in a tape down to about 1/16" where the wheels hit the points. I make the point throw bar out of 1"x 1/8" steel bar. The screws that attach the points to the throw bar are SS *#8-32 x 5/8". I set the spacing so that there is about 3/4" gap between the rail and the open points, so either gauge, 7 1/4" or 7 1/2", will clear without picking the points.
Oct, 2013. The first switch done and being installed out on the railroad. This will be the beginning of the south loop.
Nov, 2013. Now building a left hand switch and machining the points. This switch will go out on the railroad to make part of the north loop.
Aug, 2014. Making a right hand switch. This one will switch between bringing the north loop or the yard on to the mainline.
Sept, 2014. Close up of the points, throw bar and switch stand . I use two Century Spring Corp., model # C-690 springs to hold the points to the rail. I install one each on either side of the throw bar and lock them in with two hex nuts, jammed together to lock them in. Also, there is a picture of the screws I use to screw down the rail.
June, 2015. Starting to lay out for a right hand switch and cutting boards to length for the ties for the switch.
July, 2015. Cut ties for the next switch. Then on to be stained.
Sept, 2015.Continueing on with the building of the right hand switch and machining the points.
Oct, 2015. Finishing up a right hand switch and starting a left hand one. You can see from these two photo's how the tangent jig is used to layout either switch. These two switches are to go out on the mainline to make the River subdivision. So far I have built three rights and two lefts.