A. Spike straight stock rail
1. Spike every other tie
2. Do not spike at point and guard rails
B. Lay Straight frog point rail
1. Gauge with a three point gauge and spike
lightly
2. Do not spike within one inch of the frog
point
C. Lay curved point rail
1. Spike lightly at the desired frog angle
number
2. Do not spike within one inch of the frog
point
D. Lay curved stock rail
1. Gauge with three point track gauge at the
curved frog rail and the track leading up to the
points
2. Do not spike at points or guardrail
E. Using standards gauge move the frog points
back and forth until they are in gauge with both
stock rails
F. Lay straight point rail in place using a three
point track gauge
1. Bend frog end of the point rail to form
the frog wing rail
2. The bend should be so the point rail and
the straight frog rail are in a straight line
3. Bend the very end of the wing rail out and
file a bevel on the top inside of the rail head
G. Spike straight point rail in place
1. leave one and one half to two inches of
the point end of the straight point rail free to
move
2. Roll a truck through the turnout and make
adjustments
3. Roll a car through the turnout and make
adjustments. If every thing is in alignment and
in gauge the car should roll through the turnout
without picking the point of the frog.
H. Repeat steps F and G with the curved point
rail. It will be more difficult with the curved
point to get the car to go through without a guard
rail, but don't worry if it doesn't go through every
time as the guard rail will fix it when it is
installed
I. Install guard rails
1. Use standards gauge to make sure the
wheels do not pick the point of the frog. This
is done with the flange ways end of the
standards gauge.
2. Make sure the flange ways are the right
size
3. Spike stock rail and guard rail in place
4. Roll truck through turnout and make
adjustments
5. Roll car through turnout and make more
adjustments
J. Solder frog and guard rails. Use rosin core
solder to fill the flange ways
K. Using files or a piece of hacksaw blade to
clean solder out of the flange ways
L. Check again with standards gauge, truck, and
car.
M. Install point through bar
1. Cut a strip of PC board about the width of
a tie and about two inches long
2. Clean the tarnish of the copper by filling
or sanding
3. Place in through bar slot and wedge up
against the bottom of the stock and point rails.
4. Using standards gauge space the points
using the point tabs on the edge of the gauge
5. Mark the point positions on the copper
6. Remove the through bar and file away the
copper outside of the marks for the points
7. Replace the through bar and wedge it in
place
8. Solder points to through bar
N. Roll truck and car through the turnout again
and make any adjustments
O. Run loco through the turnout and make any
adjustments
P. Install your choice of turnout through
You have just finished the turnout and are one third
of the way through the scratch built track work
requirement for the AP program. I hope this will be of
help to you as you work to improve your modeling skills.
