I am looking to investing in on the Fast Track kits but having a hard time making a wise decision on which to get based on my aspirations. My initial thoughts are #6 would be a good if I wanted to focus on mostly switching but still be able to do an mainline crossover if needed. However I would like my mainline crossovers to be larger, say a #8 because half of the freight I plan on running is larger; 50-60' Boxcars, 60'+ flats and intermodal, plus I like the more proto look and being Z hoping I can afford it space-wise. So as a compromise I'm looking at purchasing a #7. The second and equally tough decision, for me, is which code 40 or 55 leaning towards the 40. I plan to hand-lay most of my track using code 40, but still like to use the MTL flextrack for quicker modules and the at the Z-Bend interfaces. How difficult is it to interface code 40 to code 55? If it's to much of a problem, might it be possible to cheat and use 40 in a 55 jig by using shims. Would appreciate all of your insights.
Hi Paul I've got both the #6 and #8 kits from fast tracks, and there both great to have. Like you i wanted long #8's for the mainline switches, and the shorter #6's for yards. I build all my turnouts with code 55 rail to match MTL flex, and they work great. You should be able to build both code 55 and code 40 rail with the same fasttracks jigs.... the two jigs i have are printed on them for code55/40. In the current issue of MR there is an artical about joining different size rail codes that may be usefull to you for this type of work.... looks to be straight forward. Tony B... Wasatch Z Club
I have the #6 and #8 code 40 jigs. On mine, I have to Dremel sand the base of the rail to fit code 55 rail in it. Early adopter I guess, but it only takes 5 minutes to sane a turnout's worth. For my home layout, it will be code 40 rail completely. Code 40 rail looks so much better in the photos, kind of like code 80 vs code 55 in N Scale. I will probably only need 6 or 8 of the #8 turnouts, just for mainline crossovers, and the majority will be #6 turnouts.
#8 would surely look sweet on a mainline but don't forget, you can lessen the side-swiping of long cars by putting in asymetrical crossovers a curve transition. This requires a L & R. This is want I did on my Z-Bend modules. I can't find a good image of how it looks like. http://www.railway-technology.com/contractors/engineering/bwg/ And in case you want to see the perfect Z-Bend Track crossover looks like: http://www.voestalpine.com/bwg/en/p.../switchsystems/groovedrail_switchsystems.html
