Fast Tracks

Hi Folks,

This may have been answered before, but I wasn't able to find it clearly spelled out for me (who is brand new at this stuff)...

When making a turnout, should the points be soldered to the throwbar so that both point rails have the required "Point Gap" on the NMRA guage when the switch is half thrown, or does the gap only apply to the non-active point rail in either thrown position?

Which of the following is correct?

#1) Switch in center position
== Stock Rail 1 ==
NMRA Point Gap
== Point Rail 1 ===
Space
Space
== Point Rail 2 ===
NMRA Point Gap
== Stock Rail 2 ==


#2) Switch in either thrown position
== Stock Rail 1 ==
NMRA Point Gap
== Point Rail 1 ===
Space
Space
Space
== Point Rail 2 ===
== Stock Rail 2 ==


For diagram #1, the point rails have to be closer together, whereas with diagram #2 they can be farther apart.

Thanks!

J.

Joe,

Check the instructions with the gage or if lost see the RP 2 (pull down the PDF version) from the NMRA web site. The points are gaped relative to each other and the nub is a clearance for the gap on one side only. It is best to check it with the points thrown each way separately. With nice thin properly tapered points, you should not have a track gage problem and the points throw spacing will be equal on positioning from both sides with the opposing point against the stock rail.

Make sure you are using the points marked nubs and not the flange marked nubs. These are different sizes and placement dimensions.

-ed-

_________________
-ed mccamey-
COSLAR RR - http://www.coslar.us/
NMRA Standards and Conformance Department
PROTO & FINE Scale Coordinator
I estimate I have about 5 pounds of coupler springs somewhere in the vicinity of my workbench.

Thanks Ed!