Layout Building N Siren Creek Part 8 - Building a Dual Gauge Turnout

[@OgaugeTrainsplusslotCars]

Thanks for sharing.

[@DanielCortopassi]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@Longshadowsmodeltrees]

Nice job Dan, that would drive me Nut's. Bob

[@DanielCortopassi]

It drives me a little nuts, too, sometimes. I'm just glad this is a small layout so I don't have that much to build. Thanks for watching!

[@chadwiklund6365]

This is 100% the coolest thing i’ve ever seen, beautiful craftsmanship. But with wife, kids, and work, I think ima just go buy some track.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks so much!

[@chadwiklund6365]

With that much craftsmanship I hope that the wood that the layout sits on is treated and kiln dried. N scale is such a moody temptress and I would not take any risk on that much effort.

[@DanielCortopassi]

It's on 3/4 inch oak plywood. I have wondered about expansion and contraction, though there are a couple mitigating factors. The climate in our area is more moderate and doesn't have as extreme temperature and humidity swings as some other places. It's also small, so I'm hoping that it won't have too many of those kinds of issues. I guess time will tell. Thanks for watching!

[@jhemak]

Mind blown

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks so much!

[@harperlarry49]

Very nice work.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thank you very much!

[@handlaidtrack]

Nice job!

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks so much!

[@needs2quit1atgmail87]

You just went up to the next level. Can you feel it...? Your a master!!! Wow you need to get paid for this. Have you thought of merchandise? Like tees that say..."I eat Daunting tasks for breakfast" great video. I cant empathize that enough. Your a god.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I had not thought of tee shirts... hmm... Thanks for the suggestion!

[@holgertischner8523]

Nice Switch very nice and Layout.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks so much!

[@marksawyer5299]

Amazing work Dan. Master seems to be the word used here and justifiably so.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks so much!

[@j.mcq.8418]

I'm gobsmacked!

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks so much!

[@jhoodfysh]

Golleee - that was amazing!

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks so much!

[@Inazuma7727]

"Needs2quit1" said it: "Master". If I might add: "Superb Master Craftsman". Tons of Respect! PS: Whoever made the double crossover I saw, ain't got nothin' on YOU!

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks so much for the kind words!

[@rogerthat6451]

My mind is blown! Brilliant work Dan!

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thank you very much!

[@NicksCollectableCreations]

I am not sure I have the patience to do hand laying, but this is a small layout so I might be able to handle it 😁 I like the small "coffee table" layouts and am always surprised how detailed they can be and still look good. This would be the perfect layout to take to train shows if you ever wanted to. I would like to offer a recommendation. This is just personal preference because I have done electronic repairs, but try some of the silver bearing solder, usually comes in a fine wire. It is better at conducting, stronger and because of its small size, easier to control the flow.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm really enjoying building this layout. Honestly I'm glad it's not any bigger because I wouldn't want to do the dual gauge thing on a large scale. I might consider bringing it to train shows in the future. I think small layouts can be really cool. Thanks for the tip about the silver bearing solder. I'll look for some. Thanks for watching, too!

[@robertwebber194]

Nice work!!!

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks so much!

[@ricksalmon4916]

A work of art!

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks so much!

[@tp6212]

You, and another YT''er's vods, actually have me considering trying hand-building a turnout. Something I swore i would never try again.. But, small? And 3 rail? :O Congrats, man. An intricate build, well done. :)

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks so much! Hand laying track is definitely not the quick and easy way, but it does give you a lot of freedom to build the track to the exact shape you need. Doing a regular (not dual gauge) turnout is definitely easier because it has fewer parts. Maybe give it another chance. It's really neat when it works and you can watch a train run through it. Thanks for watching!

[@conrailfan6277]

Nice work Dan!! That's so cool you can download switch templates, I have been thinking about building some N-Scale modules just to run some trains in my basement, I would love to try building some turnouts for that!! Merry Christmas to you and Nichole and hope you find some train stuff in your stocking!! 😄😄😄😄😃👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@DanielCortopassi]

Fast Tracks has templates for different scales and types of track, which is great. They also have assembly fixtures, but those are pretty expensive. Unless you want to build a lot of one thing, I'm not sure how cost effective that route is. The template was useful so I could figure out all the different parts of this dual gauge turnout. The layout needs two more of them that will not be standard sizes, so I wanted to make sure I could get the regular No. 6 one to work first. I just finished the curved one on the other end of the passing siding, so one more to go. Building modules is a fun way to enjoy the hobby, and they're easier to move! Merry Christmas and thanks for watching!

[@danielfantino1714]

Wouf....i´m afraid doing it in HO. You did it in N plus narrow gauge ! May be i shouldn´t be afraid and try it ? 😊😊 Thanks for your excellent work in a complicated turnout.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you enjoyed watching my build. I think you could do it, too! Building a regular (not dual gauge) turnout is less complicated. If you haven't had a lot of experience with handlaid track I'd try something simple first, maybe even just a stretch of plain track. Then maybe a normal turnout. Fast Tracks has free downloadable plans that you can print out to use as a guide. They also sell fixtures to help hold things together while you're building the turnout. I haven't tried those but a lot of people like them. Thanks for watching!

[@danielfantino1714]

Thanks Daniel for your counselling. Fast Track jigs aren´t cheap but probably a good idea when starting from zero. I like tiny branchline tracks with not always square ties. Cheapest real ones have 2 flat sides and 2 rounded ones, coming from smaller trees. That goes with small rails like code 55 or 70 for the tallest. Not sure if everything passes on small rails. Replacing cheap plastic wheels on a boxcar is easy. On a steamer, it´s an other story. OK Dan, i know put the steamer on a piece of track as an exhibition model of past technology.... and if too many, put a rairoad museum on the layout, an other never seen on layout.😅😅

[@crazysdk]

Hey Dan, if you’re having issues getting the old Marklin mechanism to work reliably on your Nn3 steamer, you might consider getting one of the newer models. Marklin has come out with new Z scale steamers in the past year or so that have detailed and moving running gear. The new mechanisms also use a coreless can motor. I got a Marklin 88032 and it looks like they kept the internal profile the same as the 8895 so the new mechanisms should be able to fit under the same shells as the old ones. I was working on making an Nn3 2-6-0 and couldn’t for the life of me get the old Marklin mech to run well under DC (didn’t even try DCC). I haven’t done all the work to modify the new mechanism yet, but I test ran it on DC and it seems to have quite a bit better performance.

[@DanielCortopassi]

That's good to know. The Nn3 engine project has been put on the back burner for a while since I've been putting so much time into the layout. I actually have two of the older 2-6-0 mechanisms. The one I've been working on runs better than the spare. Electrical pickup seems to be an issue. I'm hoping adding a tender with wheel pickups will help with that. I put a decoder in the spare mechanism just to try it out, but it stalls a lot. The one that I was intending to use runs pretty well on DC, but I haven't tried DCC yet. I may consider one of the newer mechanisms if I can't get the one I have to work well. Thanks for the info!