cncproadwarrior
North of the 49th
I will be using #5 turnouts using the FastTracks kit. I figured it out at about $20 a turnout including two double crossovers. I'm getting the double crossover jig that will also allow me to make turnouts.
How many use FastTracks?
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I agree.
Before buying my FastTracks jig I had never hand laid any track. I have since built six trouble free turnouts for my Free-mo module and don't for a second regret the investment.
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I don't use them, but would have if they had been around at the beginning of my layout. That would be the only way they would pay for the themselves and give a per turnout savings. $20/std. turnout is not giving a savings unless you are looking at the very high priced and then, not much with online prices. I do understand the jigs can make very good turnouts and there is always the satisfaction of making your own.
Going together with someone to purchase the jigs would be ideal.
Going together with someone to purchase the jigs would be ideal.Jim, I pay $18.95 for my W/Shino's from First Place Hobbies and while high, still cheaper. I believe that my figures for FastTrack were somewhere around $25.00+ depending on number. By the time you figure the cost of the FastTrack #5's, #6's, and what ever other size you may need plus the materials, you have jacked the individual cost pretty high. This is why I said that I wish I had done this in the beginning with many turnouts to be purchased. Needing only a few would not justify the cost, but the pleasure of making them might.
EDIT: Simply, it all depends on how many you plan on making for it to be cost effective and/or if you are doing it to have a touch in handlaying track.
EDIT: Simply, it all depends on how many you plan on making for it to be cost effective and/or if you are doing it to have a touch in handlaying track.
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I have been handlaying switches since 1978. I have made them a half dozen different ways (including prefabbed on PC ties).
With Fasttracks you are trading time for money. It lets you build a switch immediately for a couple hundred bucks. You can take the time to build a half dozen switches and get to about the same point. So if immediate results are important to you, then Fasttracks may be something you want. If you want to learn how to build ANY switch, any size, and alignment, any gauge, and are willing to spend some time, the build them the traditional way.
Here is some of the switches on my current layout:
With Fasttracks you are trading time for money. It lets you build a switch immediately for a couple hundred bucks. You can take the time to build a half dozen switches and get to about the same point. So if immediate results are important to you, then Fasttracks may be something you want. If you want to learn how to build ANY switch, any size, and alignment, any gauge, and are willing to spend some time, the build them the traditional way.
Here is some of the switches on my current layout:
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John P
Active Member
Here are some pictures from the FastTracks booth at the 2009 Springfield MA model railroad show. To save space on this thread I won't make the pictures show here, but you can click the URL's. You can see the system being demonstrated for a potential customer--I wonder if he bought anything.
http://files.myopera.com/John98wbr/albums/661338/IMG_2249.jpg
http://files.myopera.com/John98wbr/albums/661338/IMG_2247.jpg
http://files.myopera.com/John98wbr/albums/661338/IMG_2251.jpg
http://files.myopera.com/John98wbr/albums/661338/IMG_2248.jpg
http://files.myopera.com/John98wbr/albums/661338/IMG_2250.jpg
http://files.myopera.com/John98wbr/albums/661338/IMG_2249.jpg
http://files.myopera.com/John98wbr/albums/661338/IMG_2247.jpg
http://files.myopera.com/John98wbr/albums/661338/IMG_2251.jpg
http://files.myopera.com/John98wbr/albums/661338/IMG_2248.jpg
http://files.myopera.com/John98wbr/albums/661338/IMG_2250.jpg
Selector
Well-Known Member
I have made several #8 turnouts in Code 100 using Fast Tracks' jigs, and a #6 double-slip. After you learn how to build turnouts, which is mostly what you end up doing, the jigs are merely handy gauging items, and they hold several of the PCB ties so that, when you are done with the jig, you can lift out a working turnout. Then it must be completed with ties and weathering, including details if you wish.
However, once I was fairly adept at making turnouts, I knew when the time came to 'close my loop' on my layout that I would have to build a custom turnout on the spot. And that is exactly what I did. Works like a darn, too.
In order to get a working wye turnout (two way) so that I could diverge off my interchange track and fashion a lead to my turntable and roundhouse, I had to make one from scratch. It looked like a #6 would work nicely, so I used the jig for the #6 double-slip to make a curved wye turnout. It, too, works well.
I don't regret my purchases, and sure as heck not the experience. But, now I can build pretty much whatever I need.
-Crandell
However, once I was fairly adept at making turnouts, I knew when the time came to 'close my loop' on my layout that I would have to build a custom turnout on the spot. And that is exactly what I did. Works like a darn, too.
In order to get a working wye turnout (two way) so that I could diverge off my interchange track and fashion a lead to my turntable and roundhouse, I had to make one from scratch. It looked like a #6 would work nicely, so I used the jig for the #6 double-slip to make a curved wye turnout. It, too, works well.
I don't regret my purchases, and sure as heck not the experience. But, now I can build pretty much whatever I need.
-Crandell
Cjcrescent
Master Mechanic
The problem that you have with Fast Tracks is the same one that you have with any commercial turnout. That is you are limited to only the geometry that you can buy.
Several years ago, a friend and I did a review of the jigs for Model Railroading Magazine. I stated there that although the jigs do provide for a very well made turnout, again you're limited to what you can buy. Plus the jigs are sold at a price that a minimum of 10 turnouts per jig was necessary before you start to see any kind of cost savings versus commercial turnouts.
My overall opinion of the jigs were then and still are they are too expensive for what you can do with them. By learning to lay turnouts freehand, you really are not limited in any aspect of trackwork at all. The only limiting factor is your skill level which does get better over time. Because of the methods I use to lay my own turnouts, my average cost per turnout is $1.75 per unit. Only the more specialized turnouts like a slip switch or double crossover costs more than that. Even those costs are under $8 total. All it takes is a little time and practice.
Several years ago, a friend and I did a review of the jigs for Model Railroading Magazine. I stated there that although the jigs do provide for a very well made turnout, again you're limited to what you can buy. Plus the jigs are sold at a price that a minimum of 10 turnouts per jig was necessary before you start to see any kind of cost savings versus commercial turnouts.
My overall opinion of the jigs were then and still are they are too expensive for what you can do with them. By learning to lay turnouts freehand, you really are not limited in any aspect of trackwork at all. The only limiting factor is your skill level which does get better over time. Because of the methods I use to lay my own turnouts, my average cost per turnout is $1.75 per unit. Only the more specialized turnouts like a slip switch or double crossover costs more than that. Even those costs are under $8 total. All it takes is a little time and practice.
CP9302
Member
I'm lucky, as my club decided to go with fast tracks for our layout. With a large club the cost savings are pretty easy to see over atlas/walthers/cv/me turnouts. Another issue you can avoid is availability, when we started the layout, walthers switches were on back order and unavailable.
The fast tracks system isn't as limiting as some make it sound, while building them the 'old fashioned way' will let you do anything, the fast tracks filing jigs will help you do a lot. My club has #5, #6 and #8 jigs and templates and we've used them to build crossovers, wyes and curved switches as well as the standard straight style that fits the template.
If cost is a concern, there are a lot of groups that have reseller accounts and offer discounts of 10% or more, there are several members on this board with such accounts, as well as my club.
I'd recommend using the fast tracks system, as the switches are top notch, reliable and smooth running. Using the jigs is also a great way to learn the basics of building switches and build you skills so you can build those odd ball one offs later.
The fast tracks system isn't as limiting as some make it sound, while building them the 'old fashioned way' will let you do anything, the fast tracks filing jigs will help you do a lot. My club has #5, #6 and #8 jigs and templates and we've used them to build crossovers, wyes and curved switches as well as the standard straight style that fits the template.
If cost is a concern, there are a lot of groups that have reseller accounts and offer discounts of 10% or more, there are several members on this board with such accounts, as well as my club.
I'd recommend using the fast tracks system, as the switches are top notch, reliable and smooth running. Using the jigs is also a great way to learn the basics of building switches and build you skills so you can build those odd ball one offs later.
Cjcrescent
Master Mechanic
Being a member of a club definitely gives you an advantage with the Fast Tracks system. It does make the price of the turnouts much cheaper.
Now don't get me wrong, for some folks the system will work extremely well. My main objections has always been the price of the jig, and the turnout frog numbers its being offered in. In my mind this is the same limitation associated with using commercial turnouts. You're strictly limited to what you can buy. With freehand turnout building, this is never a problem.
Now don't get me wrong, for some folks the system will work extremely well. My main objections has always been the price of the jig, and the turnout frog numbers its being offered in. In my mind this is the same limitation associated with using commercial turnouts. You're strictly limited to what you can buy. With freehand turnout building, this is never a problem.
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cncproadwarrior
North of the 49th
To build good reliable turnouts freehand, you have to have a lot of experience doing it. When you only need about 20 turnouts for a small layout, I think the FastTracks jig is the answer.
I've heard a lot about problems with commercial mass produced turnouts and I want good looking, troublefree turnouts. Another thing I don't like about commercial turnouts is the pivot points of the switch rails: the switch rails pivot on rivets. Not exactly prototypical. The FastTrack turnouts are much more prototypical in looks and operation.
Expensive? When you weigh the troublefree operations of FastTracks, I think the extra cost is worth it. One also has to remember the old saying: "You get what you pay for".
I've heard a lot about problems with commercial mass produced turnouts and I want good looking, troublefree turnouts. Another thing I don't like about commercial turnouts is the pivot points of the switch rails: the switch rails pivot on rivets. Not exactly prototypical. The FastTrack turnouts are much more prototypical in looks and operation.
Expensive? When you weigh the troublefree operations of FastTracks, I think the extra cost is worth it. One also has to remember the old saying: "You get what you pay for".
macjet
Member
I agree.
Before buying my FastTracks jig I had never hand laid any track. I have since built six trouble free turnouts for my Free-mo module and don't for a second regret the investment.
Using Fastracks
I have a fastracks #4 jig. I also have a curve Jig 30,24,22.
I have never hand laid track until now. I probably would have never attempted it until I discovered their jigs. I will say that as I build more of them I can now see that hand laid track is far superior providing you have the time.
These turnouts are as smooth as glass. Much better than an atlas turnout. Shinohara's come close to hand laid smoothness but they still lose out.
I am currently remodeling my layout. Mostly the sidings and industry areas. I am still using some Micro Engineering flex track that I have on hand.
I have found another use for the curve gauge. I do my track planning on empire express so I know ahead of time what radius curve I need. I use the Fast Tracks curve jig as an aid in setting the radius on the Micro engineering track. Those that have used Micro Engineering flex track not that the "flex" part is a misnomer! If you run the flex track through the jig upside down the track will conform to the given radius of the jig..For those who have the jig, give it a try..
Overall if one is wanting to dive in and try hand laying track you can not go wrong using Fast Tracks as a starting point.
Cheers,
Alan
I have a fastracks #4 jig. I also have a curve Jig 30,24,22.
I have never hand laid track until now. I probably would have never attempted it until I discovered their jigs. I will say that as I build more of them I can now see that hand laid track is far superior providing you have the time.
These turnouts are as smooth as glass. Much better than an atlas turnout. Shinohara's come close to hand laid smoothness but they still lose out.
I am currently remodeling my layout. Mostly the sidings and industry areas. I am still using some Micro Engineering flex track that I have on hand.
I have found another use for the curve gauge. I do my track planning on empire express so I know ahead of time what radius curve I need. I use the Fast Tracks curve jig as an aid in setting the radius on the Micro engineering track. Those that have used Micro Engineering flex track not that the "flex" part is a misnomer! If you run the flex track through the jig upside down the track will conform to the given radius of the jig..For those who have the jig, give it a try..
Overall if one is wanting to dive in and try hand laying track you can not go wrong using Fast Tracks as a starting point.
Cheers,
Alan
KCSRailfan
KCS Railfan,and Modeler.
When i had went to a train show earlier this year they were displaying Fast Tracks. I was interested in getting the fast tracks system.
-Damian
-Damian
So ONE switch cost a couple hundred bucks!? Guess things have gotten much more expensive since I last had a model train back in the mid-late 70's.
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