Sugarwood Blog

I have started with the interchange track because I had to wait for the lumber to build the 5-foot module. Also, it is the simplest section of the layout. I have the two tracks down and the backdrop up.

With that completed, I started making the Fast Tracks turnouts. The layout will require a total of sixteen #6 turnouts, six left, six right, three left curved, and one right curved. Another friend of mine lent me his Fast Tracks #6 jig, and I built a left and a right turnout. He did not have a jig for the curved turnouts, so I free-handed the one right curved turnout. I need to work on my soldering, but they all work.

Next, I started pricing the Fast Tracks Quick Sticks for turnout ties, at $10 US, I thought it might be worth it to see if I could 3D print some. I used Onshape to design the prints and exported them to STL files and printed the ties for a right and a left turnout. They came out pretty good, I think.

And finally, my friend got me the lumber, and I have built and installed the 5-foot module.

For next month, I’ll tie the Interchange shelf into the main layout and start laying track in the bakery. I’ll have to build the three left curved turnouts before that happens, and I’ll have to decide if I am going to handlay the rest of the track.

Until next month.