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Fast Tracks • View topic - new to the hobby

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Forum locked This topic is locked, you cannot edit posts or make further replies.  [ 10 posts ] 
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 Post subject: new to the hobby
PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 4:23 pm 
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 Post subject: cost of turnouts
PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 6:38 pm 


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PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 8:02 pm 


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PostPosted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 8:04 pm 
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 Post subject: Cost of Building Turnout
PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 3:34 pm 


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PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 7:04 pm 
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 Post subject: Cost of laying track
PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 8:09 pm 


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 1:14 pm 
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Joined: Mon May 24, 2004 6:02 pm
Posts: 63
Location: vestal, ny
the "cost appraisal" above seems good in itself....
ergo, its seems on the surface a pretty good deal to handlay your track.

but here's the other "half" of the equation (as surfsideflip surmised):

~18' section...
rail= $20.00
ties= $20.00

so, cost of handlaying track is around $40 per 18 feet of track...
the cost of ME c40 or c55 flex track is around $24 for 18 feet of track.
the cost of atlas c55 flex is around $16 for 18 feet of track.

so, $40 vs. $16 ....
no savings :( ...
in fact not only are you paying alot more...
you'll also have the headaches of actually building the track and gauging the rails...

going back to the TO's:
surfsideflip...
you came up with a cost of $4.15 per TO for the raw materials (i came up with about the same)
now commercially available TO's...
atlas c55 ~$9-10
potential cost savings...around $5-6 per TO.
(i'm sorry tim, but i have to say this)
now if you add just a standard/basic jig and a point/frog jig...
you need to handlay at least 30 TO's to break even :o .
(remember the jig will only give you one size TO....
if you need multiple sizes, you'll have to calculate in more jigs...)
and one more thing, take into account what rob (de rebel) said about tools.

conclusion:
DO NOT HANDLAY if you want to save money.
(for an average layout) its much cheaper, easier, and will give you less headaches to use commercially available track.(mass production does have its benefits :wink: )
DO NOT HANDLAY if you want something up and running quickly (even if it is just a part of the layout, so you have something to run trains, while you work on the rest of the track/scenery/structures/etc.)

HANDLAY ONLY if you have lots of special intricate track work that is not commercially available, and you feel your skills and patience is up to the mark, and you want the satisfaction/pride of saying you did it yourself :)
HANDLAY ONLY if you want the BEST looking track available :)

ADDED: if you're gonna try handlaying track (i think everyone should at some time), then the fast tracks jigs are the best way to go :)
unless you really want to learn the hard way...trial and error :P


Last edited by sam on Mon Feb 14, 2005 10:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: handlaying
PostPosted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 2:56 pm 
I'll add to this discussion also.

I find that if someone wants a few odd turnout sizes, I can't see them buying track laying tools for one or two number 12's or whatever. Go to someone whom has them, and pay them to make em for you, of course you'll have to be the quality control guy. Know whom your buying from. and how good they are.

As far as track laying the above costs are about right. I added tools, gauges, paint, glues, chemical blackener, brushes, etc etc to the equation to get the 5 to 10 dollar figure, and then add a few bucks for labor, (my labor) or your time, it works out the same.

Bottom line, if your building a basement empire, they are definately worth the time, expense, and investment.

If you just need a few, well you'll have to decide how much
you can afford in time and tools or have a custom builder pop them out for you.

Rob


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 10:41 pm 
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Location: vestal, ny


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