The first VR turnout is made!

600ft Radius Turnout 7.52

Happy new year to everyone! Its taken some time, but ive finally done the first turnout. This is just a simple test to check my design for correct gauging and also to help with the design work for the sleeper plates.  It also should be noted that the turnout is not DCC or DC friendly. The Turnout ive made is a right hand 600ft radius with a 7.52  frog.  It was made by following a printed paper template that i design. The rails are than cut to length and joined by the same type of joint bars used for the main line straight track.  The rails are than solded to the cut length of pc boards that are stuck down on the paper template with blu-tack.

Once everything was made the timber sleepers were than cut to length and slide under the rails and than glued to the rail. Once the glue was dry the turnout was lifted up off the template.

Using the paper template was a bit slow but when i cnc mill out the turnout jigs the process of construction will speed up.  I found that the gauge worked out really well. With only the frog area needing some work but i this will better with a jig and also the correct tooling to fill down the rails to get the angle right.  The turnout blades are hinge and work well.  I had four wheel bogies running through the turnout with no problems.

The overall turnout will look better once the sleeper plates are done and some super detailing as well.  In the photos the turnout looks dirty due to the glue that hasn't been cleaned off yet going black and also my soldering skills need more work. Im happy the way it has turned out.

So whats next? Im now working on single and double compounds once this is done and a test run i will be able to finish off some etching work and than it will be time for Bendigo A box area to get some track laid.  In the mean time i plan to construct the module, landscape some blue foam and glued down the track plan i have done ready for the track to be laid on. I will post on these areas soon.

Feel free to give your thoughts, idea,s or photos of bendigo to bendigonscale@live.com.au