For Bullhead Track, Chairs Exactoscale. Special chairs used where available and appropriate at additional cost. Peco Pandrols for Flatbottom code 143 (C&L chairs add 50% due to extra cost)
DCC Friendly.
All rivet construction can be chosen for plywood timbering with cosmetic chairs but at an additional cost depending on the type of turnout specified.
Soldered common crossing.
Droppers fitted.
Choice of Stretcher bars but my preference is currently Ambis.
Switch anchor stays can also be fitted (where appropriate i.e. REA/GW type flexible switches) at extra cost, as can additional detailing.
Pointwork complexes and layouts can also be designed and/or produced.
However I can’t perform the impossible and if it won’t fit, it won’t fit.
Equally, there may be instances where an unlikely formation is the only answer, e.g. double outside slips are not found on main lines
(unless someone can tell me differently of course) but usually in locations tight for space such as yards,
however if you need to have one on your main line, you should be aware of this and either accept it or revise your plans accordingly.
In addition to REA/GW flexible switches - Older style curved and loose heel switch turnouts are also possible and can be substantial space savers.
Plain track can also be supplied, please specify type of chair and panel length, Priced at the equivalent of £37.50 per half metre.
In 0 gauge you have the choice of various standards but only 0-MF (31.5mm gauge) will allow the smoother passage of standard finescale wheelsets, without resorting to alterations. 0-SF (31.2mm) and 0-XF (31.0mm) will also achieve this but back to back, minimum radii and gauge widening may need to be taken into consideration. Standard 0-F (32mm), will of course run everything but with the finer scale wheels of today may be a bit bumpy through the common crossing, especially with flatter angle crossings, as they tend to fall into the gap.
Of course you can also go for S7 (33mm) which is the 7mm scale equivalent of P4 and you will probably have to rewheel/alter everything. It does look very good though.
In the smaller scales you have the choice of P4, EM various versions of 00 plus the narrow gauge and wider gauge variants.
Just a note for those interested in comparing point kit prices with my Bespoke built ones, have a look at their kit prices! They can include items that you really only need to buy once
Please note that any request for bullhead trackwork built from C & L components will now carry a 50% surcharge eiither 4mm or 7mm scale. The main reason is that at the time of writing their chairs and rail are so expensive, for instance, according to the C&L website, a bag of 7mm scale 500 chairs now costs £51.60. Exactoscale equivalent 3 bolt is £32.50, 2 bolt £29.00 - Permaway is similar - at least for the time being.
For further information please contact me:stephen@trackandsignals.co.uk
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3D printing of trackwork has arrived, I can design any chair that may be required and isn't available via Templot.
This obviously can take a little longer and currently has to be an entirely separate way to that used by Templot.
Basically Templot creates its chairs via DXF and is currently limited to the most common specification, i.e. REA 3 hole. Having said that, apart from the GWR most grouping designs have similar chairing in the critical parts of a a turnout.
Many of the pre-grouping railways used interlaced sleepers and therefore used a greater proportion of standard running rail chairs in their pointwork, so little or no use of L1 or M1 chairs etc.
Templot cannot generate the STLs for anything other than plain track or turnouts to the REA specification.
Until such time as it might do a different approach is needed, the use of plywood or plastic timbering remains, resin printed chairs being used rather than an entire track base via an FDM printer.
Such items as 2 bolt slide chairs and checkrail chairs can be designed and printed using a different method of design on a parametric solids basis.
