Making points.

Links to and discussion of garden railway video footage or videos of real railways which might inspire members with their modelling
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Tony Bird
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Making points.

Post by Tony Bird » Wed Aug 04, 2021 10:29 am

Hi,

The recently made portable layout made using a couple of paste tables as base boards is having a passing loop fitted.https://youtu.be/WbWBE3MTUro

https://youtu.be/WbWBE3MTUro

Take care Tony.

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ge_rik
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Re: Making points.

Post by ge_rik » Wed Aug 04, 2021 1:21 pm

Really clearly explained, Tony, thanks. Making turnouts is on my to-do list ....... for one day

Rik
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GAP
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Re: Making points.

Post by GAP » Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:40 am

ge_rik wrote: Wed Aug 04, 2021 1:21 pm Really clearly explained, Tony, thanks. Making turnouts is on my to-do list ....... for one day

Rik
Rik,
I have pdf plans for points if you are interested.
I am part way through making a set using the plan as a template.
They came as a download from "Garden Railways" magazine in the US if you were a subscriber
Graeme
From the home of the Ringbalin Light Railway
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Re: Making points.

Post by Tony Bird » Thu Aug 05, 2021 7:56 am

Hi Rik,
That is very kind of you but I am not very good with computers so not sure if they would be useful. But if it isn't too much trouble for you I will have a try. I have read Garden Railways but never subscribed, I have met Marc Horovitz a few times who was and still might be its editor. Even contributed an article many years ago.

Take care Tony.

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Re: Making points.

Post by ge_rik » Thu Aug 05, 2021 8:44 am

Hi Graeme
I'll PM you

Rik
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Re: Making points.

Post by GAP » Wed Aug 11, 2021 12:35 am

I have finished making my first set of points (Mk1) they are a #5 set i.e. there is a 1 inch convergence 5 inches from the frog point.
Bit of a learning curve building them e.g. burned some sleepers when soldering.
They test OK with a bogie pushed through by hand so it now on to "user trials" using some locos and wagons to tweak any errors before being put into service.
I used the plans I have as the basis for them, the main difference is I put the sleeper alignment timber on the outside instead of underneath due to the fact that they will be resting of fibre cement base board instead of being on the ground also I reduced the number of sleepers.
They differ from other points in that there is no pivot for the blades they just bend about 5-10mm
Points Mk1.JPG
Points Mk1.JPG (100.48 KiB) Viewed 3356 times
Points Mk1 Top View.JPG
Points Mk1 Top View.JPG (98.95 KiB) Viewed 3356 times
Points Mk1 Throwbar and Lever.JPG
Points Mk1 Throwbar and Lever.JPG (96.16 KiB) Viewed 3356 times
Points Mk1 User Trial Setup (1).JPG
Points Mk1 User Trial Setup (1).JPG (101.49 KiB) Viewed 3356 times
Points Mk1 User Trial Setup (1).JPG
Points Mk1 User Trial Setup (1).JPG (101.49 KiB) Viewed 3356 times
Attachments
Points Mk1 User Trial Setup.JPG
Points Mk1 User Trial Setup.JPG (95.44 KiB) Viewed 3356 times
Graeme
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https://ringbalin-light-railway.blogspo ... -page.html

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Re: Making points.

Post by ge_rik » Wed Aug 11, 2021 7:21 am

That's looking good, Graeme. I assume getting the geometry of the frog was the trickiest bit???

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Re: Making points.

Post by GAP » Wed Aug 11, 2021 10:15 am

ge_rik wrote: Wed Aug 11, 2021 7:21 am That's looking good, Graeme. I assume getting the geometry of the frog was the trickiest bit???

Rik
Not really Rik it was just a matter of using the full size plan I had and overlaying all the components to it.
Then it was just deft use of the bench grinder and a blow torch for the soldering.
If I want a different size convergence it is just a matter of making a frog where the distance out from the point equals 1 inch i.e. a #6 is 1 inch at a distance of 6 inches or conversely a #3 is 1 inch at 3inches from the frog point.
The amount of tension on moving the point blades is negligible and they lend themselves to either a point throw or servo operation.

Testing so far has highlighted only one issue and that is one stock rail is lower vertically than the frog but so far no derailments have occurred both forward and reverse at high and low speed.

Overall I am happy with my first attempt at point building and will most likely put it into service.
I do have a number of other points built a friend using the same plan that require refurbishment so that is probably where I will head next.
Graeme
From the home of the Ringbalin Light Railway
https://ringbalin-light-railway.blogspo ... -page.html

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Tony Bird
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Re: Making points.

Post by Tony Bird » Thu Aug 12, 2021 2:13 pm

Hi Graeme,

Looking good, I have never made a conventional point with a bending blade maybe next time.
I have tested the points just finished.

https://youtu.be/J9pPOVqjMFg

Take care Tony.

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