Fast Tracks

I have looked at the Fasttrack web site for this information, but could not find it:

What is the difference between main- branchline and siding jigs. YES I know it has to do with sleeper spacing, but in what way and dimensions. Dimensions for US practice are quite different from Continental practice, so some indication (maybe also put on the FT website) about the difference might be helpful for those of us who stayed on this side of the ocean in deciding which jig to use

I recently found that "heavy rail" means something totally different in both the US and European Continent, so maybe your branchline dimensions are way to heavy for even our high-speed lines or heavy freight lines

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Paul Bender

Everybody can shovel, firing is an art


Firing this train was more fun then hard labor © R. de Water

If you click here, you will see that the tie spacing for code 100 HO scale track is:

Mainline Tie Spacing 20" (508 mm) The distance between each tie. (Prototype)
Branchline Tie Spacing 22" (558.8 mm)
Siding Tie Spacing 24" (609.6 mm)

If you click here, you will see the tie spacing for code 55 HO scale track is:

Mainline Tie Spacing 20" (508 mm) The distance between each tie. (Prototype)
Branchline Tie Spacing 22" (558.8 mm)
Siding Tie Spacing 24" (609.6 mm)

In prototype, you would use the heavier rail on main lines and the lighter rail on sidings. I just use code 70 everywhere, as I am building an HO/HOn30 layout with some dual guage track. I't a compromise, but it makes a lot less work for me just using the one rail code.

In short, it's just the tie spacing that's the difference between Fast Track mainline, branchline and siding track.

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Now waiting for a better currency exchange rate before I order.

Thanks, I should have looked at the "tab" specifications

although sleeperspacing distance might be useful at the main section of the jig page

_________________
Paul Bender

Everybody can shovel, firing is an art


Firing this train was more fun then hard labor © R. de Water

In reality, it could have been configured a million different ways and I doubt it will be changed now. Once you know the system, it's not that hard to find info. And if you can't, just ask.

_________________
Now waiting for a better currency exchange rate before I order.

For who wants to know:

Europian sleeper spacing:

Mainline: 600 mm -> FastTrack "siding" spacing

Sidings: 750 mm -> ...............

_________________
Paul Bender

Everybody can shovel, firing is an art


Firing this train was more fun then hard labor © R. de Water