Are turnouts built with an Assembly Fixture compatible with DCC?
Any switch made with a Fast Tracks Assembly Fixture is 100% compatible with DCC or DC. |
Can I use the TieBreaker for curved turnouts that have the same frog angle as a regular turnout?
Yes, curved turnouts that have the same frog angle as a regular turnout are designed with the PC board ties in the same location and are the same length. |
Can you make Assembly Fixtures for rail other than Micro Engineering?
While we encourage our customers to use Micro Engineering rail to build switches in our assembly fixtures, we can cut any fixture to fit rail produced by other manufacturers. Please contact |
Can you really use the base of the rail to reliably set the track gauge?
Yes! Rail is formed using a rolling process so the base of the rail is every bit as accurate as the head of the rail. Micro Engineering manufactures its rail to a tolerance of +/- .001" at the base. T |
Do you offer Assembly Fixtures for G scale?
We have had a number of inquiries about G scale Assembly Fixtures. It is unlikely that the approach of using aluminum fixtures with PC Board ties will work for G scale, so a different method will need |
Does building turnouts using your jigs and materials satisfy the NMRA AP requirement to scratch build turnouts for Civil Engineer Certificate?
Trackwork built with Fast Tracks tools is considered as scratch built by the NMRA. We still of course recommend that you always confirm that the trackwork is in gauge using an NMRA track gauge. |
How heavy are these fixtures? What will it cost to have them shipped?
Each fixture weighs between just under 0.5 Lb. to almost 2.5 Lbs. You can determine exact shipping costs by adding the items you want to the shopping cart and then checking the shipping options that a |
I have a Fast Tracks assembly fixture for Micro Engineering code X rail. Can I use this same fixture for brand X rail?
Many Fast Tracks assembly fixtures cut for Micro Engineering rail are 100% compatible with rail from other manufacturers. Here is a list of rail types that we have confirmed are compatible. |
I have a special requirement. Do you make customized fixtures?
Depending on our current production workload, we will occasionally take on custom work. Send an email to service@fast-tracks.net with some details of what you are looking for and we will let you know |
I have heard that code 70 and code 83 can be used in the same fixture, is this true?
The critical dimensions of Micro Engineering code 70 and code 83 rail are the same, so both rail codes can be used in the same fixture. |
I have heard that I can use code Atlas code 80 rail stripped from flextrack in a code 55 Assembly Fixture, is this true?
Yes. The base width of Atlas code 80 rail and Micro Engineering code 55 rail is the same, so you can use the same fixture for both code sizes. Please send an email to us at service@fast-tracks.n |
Is trackwork built using Fast Tracks tools NMRA compliant?
Yes, all of our tools are designed so that finished trackwork is NMRA compliant. However we do of course recommend that you always confirm compliancy using an NMRA track gauge. You will find a copy of |
Modelers have building switches by hand for years. Why do we suddenly need an Assembly Fixture to do this?
Better Accuracy Consistent Results No wheel drop through the frog Extremely Reliable Operation Easier To Build NMRA compliant! |
The track gauge through the Frog and the guardrails is wider than I prefer, it this normal?
The gauge through the frog and the guardrail is within NMRA standards. To accommodate all preferences we have made this in the middle of the limit tolerance that the NMRA suggests. If you think that i |
What if the fixture is the wrong size? Can I return it?
Standard fixtures can be returned for exchange or refund if they have been unused. |
What is an Assembly Fixture?
Sometimes called a 'track building jig', an Assembly Fixture is a tool that holds rail and PC Board ties in position while they are soldered together to form a turnout 'skeleton'. |
What is the delivery time for an Assembly Fixture or other tools?
Our delivery time varies depending on what you order, our current production load, available inventory and the shipping option you choose. We provide a projected lead time for each product that we sel |
What is the projected life span of an Assembly Fixture?
A single Assembly Fixture can be used to construct thousands of switches. |
Won't the wheels drop into the frog if there isn't something in place for the wheel flanges to ride on?
No. When turnouts or crossings are precisely constructed wheel drop in the frogs isn't a problem. As wheel flanges vary in size from one manufacturer to another it is difficult to fill in the base of |
