Curved points / turnouts

[JulienW]

I can't speak for the Gentlemen so here is some thoughts from one of the 'others'...

By 'spacer' I assume you mean something for setting the 2 rails the correct distance apart (based on your description of the EM & P4 device). I think the correct term would be 'track gauge'...

There isn't one specifically for 009 because the track gauge of 9mm is the same as that used for N Gauge, which means that we use the same setting gauge. Therefore anything for making your own track in N will be fine for 009.

I have a number of turned brass 'roller' gauges that I've picked up 2nd hand over the years so I can't make any recommendations as to where one might purchase them (but Google will probably find something for you).  These are very useful for making points as the groves set both the running rails and the check rails / flange ways.

The 'triangular' gauges are a little harder to come by but I have some from Micro Engineering in the USA (which I bought from a company in Canada that seemed to be better disposed to posting things to the UK than the US sellers I could find at the time). 

One thing to note about both types of gauges is that there are a number of different rail sections one can use for making track, and that the groves in the gauges to take the rail head are sized accordingly.  Using a gauge for Code 40 rail is unlikely to work as the rails will not fit in the gauge.  Conversely a code 40 rail will be a 'sloppy' fit in the groves of a gauge designed for code 75 rail, so unless you are very careful to get the rail in the right place before fixing it's quite easy to build track that is out of gauge.

Ideally you will probably find it best to have 2 of the triangular gauges and 2 or 3 or the roller type, and it's helpful if the latter have parts cut away so you can access the side of the rail when soldering it down to make pointwork.

[Graeme Dunbar]

Is this the sort of thing?



It is a couple of commercial N gauge Code 80 roller gauges and my own 3-point gauge along with (let's call it) a slip gauge.

The 3-point gauge is a scrap of thick brass sheet cut and filed to shape with three small brass slotted head screws and nuts screwed into place and soldered when I was happy with with their position. The slip gauge is just another scrap of brass filed to gauge.

I've forgotten where I got the roller gauges, but they are fairly readily available (DCC concepts, Rails of Sheffield, Wizard Models).

https://www.wizardmodels.ltd/shop/buildings/mntrg/

Fast Tracks sell a three point gauge but I don't know of anyone in the UK.

Essentially, this is what I did:
https://narrowgauge.retiarius.com/making-a-simple-3-point-track-gauge-for-peco-009-track/

[Stan Williams]

Sorry Brian, I have to totally disagree with you about Peco N gauge curved points.
Gairloch &Wester Ross,  Loch Ewe, and Tan Yr Allt  (all award winning layouts) have used these points with superb running.  All these layouts are still going strong, the last two still being exhibited and they are 20 to 30 years old.
The points were not altered in anyway, just made to blend into the scenery.
Stan.