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.....--- N Scale Code 55 #6 Straight Turnout ---

....................... --- Using Individual Ties ---

For my second turnout I decided to use individual ties instead of Fast Tracks QuickStick ties. I wanted to see how hard this option was and if I'd want to use it in the future.

I made a copy of the first turnout I made (bottom above) and also of two of the Fast Tracks QuickSticks. I could of used any of them but put double sided tape on the copy of the first turnout made.

Next I took full length 'turnout ties' that I had bought from Fast Tracks and placed them along the template. This goes pretty quick. Put one end of the tie down on the template and lower the other end down and press it into the tape. I put the excess length of tie at the bottom where it would be easy to....

….. cut along a rather straight line instead of following the curve of the divergent track.

Next I laid a partially finished turnout to see how it fit.

I then finished the turnout and used Pliobond in the same manner as I did with the QuickSticks. Fast Tracks has exceptionally well done videos that show building the turnout and gluing it to the ties.

I heated the rail/tie Pliobond joint on a number of the ties like they show in their video and then weighted the turnout and let it sit overnight.

I pried the turnout off the double sided tape with a knife. I would slide the knife in where there were PCB ties and then work under the wooden ties. A couple of the wooden ties came loose at one end or the other. I took the soldering iron and heated the Pliobond joint by heating the rail. That pretty much re-bonded the tie to the rail.

Finally I painted the turnout like I had before with the turnout made of QuickStick ties.

It is a cool feeling to take simple parts and making a turnout from them.

The photo above shows the turnout with the QuickStick ties on the top and the turnout with the individual ties on the bottom. They are both nice. If you want something that looks like perfection and is a little faster to make then QuickSticks are for you. If maybe you want something that might look a little more like the real world then consider the individual ties or maybe go with both as I'll probably do.

Which ever you decide on the Fast Tracks Fixture, PointForm tool and StockAid tool will get you up and running making your own turnouts. It can be really rewarding and even though these are my first two turnouts I have confidence they will work fine. I've done a fair amount of soldering in the past so that helped but they have an excellent video on that also.

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