How would I construct track?

(Updated 02-06-16)

As indicated in the previous section, for most purposes plain track can be easily constructed using the Society's plastic components, although you may prefer soldered construction, and if your prototype track is flat-bottomed, not chaired bullhead, this may be the best way.

Pointwork requires more work, but is easier than perhaps imagined, and well worth giving a go. The main effort is constructing the V part of the crossing (sometimes called the frog), which requires rails to be filed to the right angle then soldered together. The switch blades also need some filing. Other than that, it's mainly a question of proceeding logically (many people start at the frog and work out from that), adding rail until the point is complete. The process is similar whether you use soldered construction or use the Society's chairs. Points have a number of specialised chairs and these can be produced by butchering the Society ones.

Accurate track gauges are the key to producing good working track. Dave Finney produces a good range in several gauges, while 3SMR produces roller gauges in 12mm and 14.2mm. The Society provides a high quality jig for machining and forming point V's, for code 60 rail only.

Templates are a very useful guide when constructing track, although the accurate bits of the operation are done using the gauges. The Society provides sets of point templates in 12mm and 14.2mm, although you can also use ones reduced from larger scales. However, an increasing number of members produce their own templates using Templot software. Templot produces prototypically accurate plans in any scale, including 3mm/ft, will cater for all Society standards, and can produce complex formations, or even complete layouts, as well as individual points.

If you've never done it, track production may seem daunting, but it isn't, so give it a go. All you need is a small amount of the basic components, and a gauge or two for your chosen track gauge.

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What wheels are used?