Joe Baldwin Lessons Learned on Track 2009

Joe Baldwin aka Joe Daddy
Http://www.joe-daddy.com
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Prototype practices
Choosing the right code rail for your needs
Tools
Interoperability and compatibility
Turnouts
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Commercial
Hand laying
Rules and Laws
Money Matters
Poor track work is prototypical!
S Gauge Turnout
ME HO Gauge Turnout
Z Gauge Turnout
S Gauge Turnout
Z Gauge Turnout
S Gauge Turnout
Lots of opinions
 Code 100 is for toy trains
 Code 83 is the only acceptable mainline
 Code 70 for main lines, code 50 for sidings
 Micro Engineering track has proper spike detail
 Real model railroaders Hand Lay
 Atlas track sucks
 Bachmann – outright laughter
 Kato – I didn’t know they made track
Code 83
Super Track
Code 100
to
r
Fa
c
De
cis
io
n
Reliability
3
Authenticity
2
Prototypical requirements
2
Cost
3
Ease of use
3
Speed of deployment
3
Kind of users (children)
3
Average Score 2.71
2
3
3
2
2
2
2
2.29
2
1
2
1
3
3
2
2.00
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Jack Rummel BMRC Shinohara and Peco
turnouts
Many modular (train show) layouts
Jeff Morrison, (good friend) Atlas Turnouts
Dave Cochrun (Good friend) Atlas Turnouts
All members of the Code 100 team
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Jerry Gilland
Jerry Wilson
Bob Rothe
Doug Geiger
All members of the Hand Layers union
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Doug Wright – Peco & Walthers Turnouts
John Parker - Peco Turnouts
Joe Baldwin – Atlas & Walthers Turnouts
Code 83 Atlas
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Porter Cable
Model #371
compact belt sander
2.5" x 14“
~ 100 bucks
Vacuum Port
Unfortunately,
Tools like lasers
don’t ensure
Straight track. . .
Unfortunately,
Tools like lasers
don’t ensure
Straight track. . .
Peco
Atlas
Walthers
Micro Engineering
ht
lH
ei
g
Ra
i
Peco
Atlas
Areas of concern
• Rail Height
• Web Width (rail joiners)
• Tie Height
Walthers
Micro Engineering
W
eb
w
id
th
Micro Engineering
Walthers
Atlas
Peco
Factors to consider
• How many interconnections?
• Location of the ‘problem areas”
• Personal skills
• Personal patience
• Time allocation
Micro Engineering
Walthers
Atlas
Peco
Peco
Atlas
Walthers
Micro Engineering
Ti
e
He
i
gh
t
Micro Engineering
Walthers
Atlas
Peco
Topic
Step 1 - Using Assembly Fixtures
Step 2 - Pre-Building The Frog Points
Step 3 - Solid vs. Hinged Switchpoints
Step 4 - Installing The PC Board Ties
Step 5 - Preparing and Installing The Stockrail
Step 6 - Preparing and Installing The Switchpoints
Step 6 (Cont) - Preparing and Installing The Switchpoints
Step 7 - Installing The Guardrails
Step 8 - Installing The Frogpoints
Step 9 - Installing The Throwbar
Step 10 - Cleaning The Trackwork
Step 11 - Finishing With QuickSticks
Building Z Scale Trackwork With Fast Tracks Assembly Fixtures
Rules
o Rule #1 it is my railroad
o Rule #2 when in doubt, refer to Rule #1
Laws
o Turnouts must work in four directions
o Don’t trust the knowledge of internet forums
o Code 83 means rail height, nothing else
o Think hard before mixing track and turnout
makers
Three significant cost drivers for my layout
 Track
 Turnouts
 Switch machines
 DCC / remote control
Rail Code
100
Manufacturer
Retail
Caboose
Atlas Model Railroad Co Inc
Peco Railway Models
Shinohara Track
$
$
$
4.65 $
7.60 $
8.99 $
3.49
5.92
7.05
Atlas Model Railroad Co Inc
Micro Engineering
Peco Railway Models
Walthers Track
$
$
$
$
5.75
5.49
7.20
9.30
$
$
$
$
4.31
4.83
5.61
7.99
Peco Railway Models
$
9.30 $
7.24
Shinohara Track
$
7.99 $
6.37
83
75
70
SKU
Code
Code
100
83
75
70
Descriptoin
100 TURNOUT #6 LEFT HAND CODE 100 - BLACK TIES - CUSTOM-LINE - NS NICKEL SILVER TRACK
100 TURNOUT #6 RIGHT HAND CODE 100 - BLACK TIES - CUSTOM-LINE - NS NICKEL SILVER TRACK
100 E-Z COMMAND #6 TURNOUT LEFT DCC
100 E-Z COMMAND #6 TURNOUT RIGHT DCC
100 TURNOUT #6 LH E-Z TRACK - GRAY ROADBED BLACK TIES - NS NICKEL SILVER RAIL
100 TURNOUT #6 RH E-Z TRACK - GRAY ROADBED BLACK TIES - NS NICKEL SILVER RAIL
100 TURNOUT #6 RH SLE95 CODE 100 - MedRadius- ELECTROFROG - NS NICKEL SILVER - Length 8-5/8in Radius 36in
100 TURNOUT #6 LH SLE 96 CODE 100 - MedRadius- ELECTROFROG - NS NICKEL SILVER - Length 8-5/8in Radius 36in
100 WYE TURNOUT #6 NS c100
100 TURNOUT #6 RIGHT HAND NS c100
100 TURNOUT #6 THREE WAY NS c100
100 TURNOUT Curved #6 RH Code 100
83 TURNOUT #6 LEFT HAND CODE 83 HO TRACK BROWN TIES - NS NICKEL SILVER
83 TURNOUT #6 RIGHT HAND CODE 83 HO TRACK BROWN TIES - NS NICKEL SILVER
83 TURNOUT #6 LEFT HAND CODE 83 CUSTOM-LINE - BROWN TIES - NS NICKEL SILVER TRACK - INSULATED FROG
83 TURNOUT #6 RIGHT HAND CODE 83 CUSTOM-LINE - BROWN TIES - NS NICKEL SILVER TRACK - INSULATED FROG
83 Turnout LH electric #6 LEFT 34 5/16 10DEG
83 Turnout RH electric #6 RIGHT 34 5/16 10DEG
83 TURNOUT - CODE 83, #6 FROG, LH
83 TURNOUT - CODE 83, #6 FROG, RH
83 TURNOUT #6 RH SL8361 CODE 83 - INSULFROG - NS NICKEL SILVER
83 TURNOUT #6 LH SL8362 CODE 83 - INSULFROG - NS NICKEL SILVER
83 TURNOUT #6 RH SLE8361 CODE 83 - ELECTROFROG - NS NICKEL SILVER
83 TURNOUT #6 LH SLE8362 CODE 83 - ELECTROFROG - NS NICKEL SILVER
83 TURNOUT #6 LEFT HAND DCC OK - CODE 83
83 TURNOUT #6 RIGHT HAND DCC OK - CODE 83
83 TURNOUT #6 DOUBLE SLIP DCC OK - CODE 83
83 CURVED TURNOUT#6-1/2 LH 18/24in - CODE 83
83 CURVED TURNOUT #6-1/2 RH 18/24in - CODE 83
83 3-WAY TURNOUT #6 DCC OK - CODE 83
75 TURNOUT #6 RH SLE195 CODE 75 - MedRadius- ELECTROFROG - NS NICKEL SILVER - Length 8-5/8 Radius 36in
75 TURNOUT #6 LH SLE196 CODE 75 - MedRadius- ELECTROFROG - NS NICKEL SILVER - Length 8-5/8 Radius 36in
70 TURNOUT CODE 70 #6 FROG LH
70 TURNOUT CODE 70 #6 FROG RH
70 TURNOUT#6 LH Code 70 - NS - Nickel Silver
70 TURNOUT #6 RH Code 70 - NS - Nickel Silver
70 TURNOUT #6 3-WAY Code 70 - NS - Nickel Silver
70 TURNOUT Curved #6 LH Code 70 - NS - Nickel Silver
70 TURNOUT Curved #6 RH Code 70 - NS - Nickel Silver
70 TURNOUT Curved #6 LH
Type
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Wye
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Double Slip
Curved
Curved
3 Way
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
Turnout
W Decoderscale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
Y
HO Scale
Y
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
Y
HO Scale
Y
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
HO Scale
MFG
stock
retail
CH
Atlas Model
Yes
Railroad Co$15.35
Inc
$11.51
Atlas Model
Yes
Railroad Co$15.35
Inc
$11.51
BachmannYes
Industries $60.00
$49.58
BachmannYes
Industries $60.00
$49.58
BachmannYes
Industries $43.50
$37.74
BachmannYes
Industries $43.50
$37.74
Peco Railway
YesModels $22.99
$17.90
Peco Railway
YesModels $22.99
$17.90
Shinohara Track
$23.99
$20.13
Shinohara Yes
Track
$21.99
$18.45
Shinohara Yes
Track
$45.99
$38.59
Shinohara Yes
Track
$35.99
$30.20
Atlas Model
Yes
Railroad Co$18.50
Inc
$13.88
Atlas Model
Yes
Railroad Co$18.50
Inc
$13.88
Atlas Model
Yes
Railroad Co$17.35
Inc
$13.01
Atlas Model
Yes
Railroad Co$17.35
Inc
$13.01
Kato USA Inc
Yes
$55.00
$41.79
Kato USA Inc
Yes
$55.00
$41.79
Micro Engineering
Yes
Co $20.95
$20.95
Micro Engineering
Yes
Co $20.95
$20.95
Peco Railway
YesModels $33.99
$26.46
Peco Railway
YesModels $33.99
$26.46
Peco Railway
YesModels $33.99
$26.46
Peco Railway
YesModels $33.99
$26.46
Walthers Track
Yes
$24.98
$21.29
Walthers Track
Yes
$24.98
$21.29
Walthers Track
Yes
$74.98
$63.79
Walthers Track
Yes
$41.98
$35.69
Walthers Track
Yes
$41.98
$35.69
Walthers Track
Yes
$54.98
$46.79
Peco Railway
YesModels $24.99
$19.46
Peco Railway
YesModels $24.99
$19.46
Micro Engineering
Yes
Co $20.95
$20.95
Micro Engineering
Yes
Co $20.95
$20.95
Shinohara Yes
Track
$20.99
$17.61
Shinohara Yes
Track
$20.99
$17.61
Shinohara Yes
Track
$45.99
$38.59
Shinohara Yes
Track
$35.99
$30.20
Shinohara Yes
Track
$35.99
$31.87
Shinohara Yes
Track
$35.99
$30.20
Turnout Cost Comparison by Code & Manufacturer
150283
150284
16044135
16044136
16044559
16044560
5521905
5521906
669118
669104
669108
669127
150505
150506
150563
150564
3812860
3812861
25514705
25514706
0552SL8361
0552SL8362
0552SLE8361
0552SLE8362
9488803
9488804
9488814
9488826
9488827
9488808
5521912
5521913
25514805
25514806
669303
669304
669308
669326
669327
669126
Manufacturer
Atlas Model Railroad Co Inc
This
is just the data
Peco Railway
Models
on HO #6 Switches!
Shinohara Track
Bachmann Industries
Atlas Model Railroad Co Inc
Micro Engineering Co
Walthers Track
Peco Railway Models
Peco Railway Models
Micro Engineering Co
Shinohara Track
Caboose
$
11.51
$
17.90
$
29.08
$
49.58
$
13.45
$
20.95
$
21.29
$
26.46
$
19.46
$
20.95
$
27.68
Retail
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
15.35
22.99
34.66
60.00
17.93
20.95
24.98
33.99
24.99
20.95
32.66

Bob Rothe
Or the
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Tortoise & the Hare
Expensive
Inexpensive
Old Atlas
PFM
New Atlas
New Atlas
Electric
Manual
Caboose
Industries
Old Atlas
New Atlas
New Atlas
Electric
Manual
New Atlas
Manual
Old Atlas
PFM
Peco
SwitchMaster
• High Current required
• Difficult Mounting
• Requires detent latch
• NOISY
• Easy to install
• Slow throwing
• Quiet
• Expensive
• Harder to wire
Tortoise
• Easy to install
• Slow throwing
• Quiet
• Expensive
• Versatile, other uses
• Plug and play decoders
Peco
SwitchMaster
Tortoise
• Easy to install
• Slow throwing
• Quiet
• Expensive
• Versatile, other uses
• Plug and play decoders
Hare & Cobalt
Peco
SwitchMaster
Tortoise
• High Current required
• Difficult Mounting
• Requires detent latch
• NOISY
SwitchMaster
• Easy to install
• Slow throwing
• Quiet
• Expensive
• Harder to wire
Type
Manufacturer
Electric
Atlas Model Railroad Co Inc
Rix Products
Peco Railway Models **
Circuitron Inc (Tortoise)
Builders In Scale (Switchmaster)
Manual
Caboose Industries
Atlas Model Railroad Co Inc
Accessory
Peco
Retail
Caboose Quality Ease of use
Comments
10.85
12.99
13.99
18.95
22.65
8.14
10.98
10.89
13.27
19.25
Low
Poor
High
High
High
Poor
Great
Good
Poor design, fragile
No experience
Noisy, hard install
Flexible and easy
Passionate users
3.25
4.7
2.75
3.53
Good
Poor
Good
Poor
Inexpensive
Poor design, fragile
7
5.44
Good
Reqiured**
** Required to give similar functionality as Tortoise and Switchmaster
Track
components
Track
Turnouts
Switch Motors
Decoders
Fast Trax Jigs
Peco turnouts
Switch Motors
Accessory switches
Income from Peco
Refund from Jigs
Lenz LS150
Income from Lenz
Qty
170
35
20
20
1
16
15
15
15
1
3
3
How I did It
Cost
Total
$ 4.31 $ 732.70
$ 21.29 $ 745.15
$ 13.27 $ 265.40
$ 15.00 $ 300.00
$ 500.00 $ 500.00
$ 26.00 $ 416.00
$ 11.00 $ 165.00
$ 5.50 $ 82.50
$ (6.00) $ (90.00)
$ (450.00) $ (450.00)
$ 50.00 $ 150.00
$ (35.00) $ (105.00)
$ 2,711.75
How I'd Do it!
Cost
Total
$ 3.49 $ 593.30
$ 17.90 $ 626.50
$ 13.27 $ 265.40
$ 15.00 $ 300.00
$ 1,785.20
$ (926.55)
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Code 83 Atlas Flex Track
Peco Insulfrog Turnouts (woops)
Peco Switch Motors (woops)
Lenz DCC stationary decoders (woops)
Hand Laid (Fast Tracks) turnouts (BIG woops)
Walthers and Atlas turnouts
Tortoise Switch Motors (Used)
Hare Stationary Decoders (Used)
Atlas Code 100 Flex Track
 Peco Code 100 Turnouts
 Tortoise Switch Motors
 Hare (Wabbit) Decoders
Why?
o Cheaper
o Stronger
o Easier (plug and play)
o Quicker (my detours cost me 5 months work)
o Look just as good (to Me!)
