| If you can't find an answer to your question here, then please feel free to contact us at service@fast-tracks.net and ask! We will do our best to respond within one business day. |
| What are Track Templates used for? |
| Fast Tracks Track Templates have been created to help the modeler to locate ties for trackwork that has been built using a Fast Tracks assembly fixture. Our Track Templates will match switches built using Fast Tracks Assembly Fixtures exactly and can also be used to help position and layout track on your roadbed. |
| How do I use Track Templates templates with my Fast Tracks turnouts? |
| For complete details on how to use the Fast Tracks Track Templates, check out the Trackwork Installation Users' Guide. |
| What dimensions have you used to lay out the ties? |
| Every railroad and every modeler seems to use different standards when laying out the positions of ties in a turnout. So rather than trying to match any one railroad we decided to use "typical" dimensions and just what "looks right". Ties for standard gauge turnouts are spaced 20" apart and are a scaled 9" wide. Narrow gauge ties are spaced 22" apart and are scaled 9" wide. The spacing of the ties is consistent throughout the turnout. |
| How accurate are your Track Templates? |
| Our Track Templates are all drawn to NMRA standards in as far as track gauge and radii are concerned. The shape and dimensions of guard rails and wing rails were produced using NMRA Recommended Practices. |
| Will your Track Templates match commercial trackwork? |
| Possibly. Fast Tracks Track Templates have been designed to exactly match the tie placements that are produced with the Fast Tracks fixtures and will probably not match the tie patterns of commercial turnouts. The location of the rails will probably match commercial turnouts providing they are made to NMRA standards. The centerlines will be the same. |
| Can I use your Track Templates to hand lay my own trackwork even if I don't use your assembly fixtures? |
| Sure! But don’t rely on the printed template for the gauging of the rails, use a track gauge. |
| I use wider printed circuit board throwbar ties on my N scale turnouts while your Track Templates show a standard tie width for the throwbar. How can I work around this? |
| Since some modelers use a standard width tie in both N and Z scales, we decided to draw them this way. If you prefer a wider spacing for a wide throwbar, simply space the switch timbers a little wider to fit the oversized throwbar in between. |
| Is it possible to drill such a small hole in the N scale throwbars? |
| We have had no problems drilling a .033” (#66) hole in N scale 1/32x9 scale inches pc board ties. A small drill bit held in a pin vice will work well. Just drill slowly and carefully by hand. Most important is to have the hole in the exact center of the tie, if it is out even a little it will be very weak on one side. A piece of .032” (1/32”) wire can be used to switch the turnout. |
| Will the gapping shown on the Track Templates work with DCC? |
| The rail gapping shown is for DCC turnouts, this will isolate the frog completely from the turnout and can be left un-powered but may cause some stalling on locomotives with short wheel bases. Alternatively you can power them from a relay or switch machine contacts, which we strongly advise. The gaps in the pc board ties shown on the templates must be there to prevent shorting in DC and DCC. |
| How did you decide the locations of the PC Board ties? |
| The PC Board tie locations are positioned to ensure that the trackwork will remain in gauge when it is removed from the fixture. Each PC Board tie location serves a specific purpose and must be used. |
| Where can I download the your Track Templates? |
| You can download Fast Tracks Track Templates at no charge from here. |
