12874 County Road 314B Buena Vista, CO. 81211-9102 (719) 395-8076 (888) 393-1259 BKTruscale@aol.com www.TroutCreekEng.com

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BK all rail turnouts are made using Micro Engineering nickel silver non-weathered rail. The turnouts DO NOT have ties under them and are made to be laid by hand, usually on wood ties. Our line consists of 5 types of items:

We make our turnouts with non-weathered rail - because of the difficulty in removing the weathering. Micro Engineering does make a weathering solution, or painting the turnout with Floquil "Roof Brown" paint will accomplish the same. We can also make brass code 100 turnouts.

Many people are under the illusion that hand-laying track and turnouts by hand is difficult, tedious, nerve-wracking and a host of other adjectives. This is not the case. Hand laying is for those modelers who want to take the time to enjoy one of the finer arts of modeling. Many of our customers use flex track for the roadbed and hand-lay the turnouts. Granted, handlaying does take more time than using flex track and purchasing ready made turnouts. However, to go this route is just a matter of deciding what it is you want out of your hobby.

A good pair of needle nose pliers, 6" is suggested, some three point track gauges, and a NMRA standards gauge is about all that is needed. This plus some patience and a willing to keep the "art" in modeling.

If you have a DCC control system, it is IMPORTANT that there be gaps in front of the frog as well as behind the frog. Both the frog and the blades would have to be "hot-wired".

We do some custom work. Please contact us for more information.

Please note that there is a $7.00 shipping charge on all orders.

Prices are subject to change without notice.

After you have decided where the track is to be laid, mark the roadbed with a pencil where the ties should be placed (two parallel lines). Paint about 2 to 3 feet of roadbed with a watered down white glue, only enough so that it does not dry while you are working. Set the ties in position the full length of the painted section. Some hints, if we may: If you are putting down ties for a modern mainline, make them even and straight. If they are for an older line, sidings, branches and yards, do not lay the ties too straight. Should one or two be a bit out of line here or there, the trackwork will look more realistic.

A typical stretch of track will have ties in all stages of weathering because old ties are replaced only a few at a time. Ties are spaced about 3000 to the mile. This comes to about 36 ties per actual foot in S scale. standard gauge. Narrow gauge ties are spaced a little farther apart. As a rule, ties should be a tie width or less apart on mainlines, and 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 tie widths apart on branch lines.

With the ties in position, sprinkle on the ballast. Some modelers use a salt shaker or similar device, some use a teaspoon; any method that works for you works. You will have to determine for yourself the length of roadbed that you can work without the glue drying. While this section is drying, you can move on to the next section. After a section is dry, remove excess bal-last with a small soft brush or a vacuum cleaner with a cloth tied over the nozzle. This excess ballast can be used again. There will always be spots where the ballast does not adhere, so fix these spots at this time. Also make sure that the ballast is not above the tops of the ties.

When completely dry, begin laying the rails. It is important to remember that turnout should be laid first, and then the rail laid to the turnouts, not the other way. Hold the needle nose pliers in a fist, thumb up and nose down. Push the spike in at a slight angle under the rail. It will not take long to get use to doing this.

Place the turnout on the ties using the frog as a center guide. Al-ways, and this is important, place the frog in position first, and spike it down. Then the stock rails may be spiked in place. We suggest using a least 2 3-point track gauges to keep the rails roughly in place and an NMRA Stan-dards gauge for the final spiking. If you are using an assembled turnout, remove the straps as you work. Always check and recheck the gauge with the Standards gauge.

We suggest using small spikes for code 70 through code 125 rail, and medium spikes for code 148 rail. Code 40 and 55 should be glued WITH PLIO-BOND, or like glue, not spiked. Code 70, 83 and 100 could also be glued.

NOTE !!!! If ordering turnouts for crossovers, please state this on the order form so that we can add length to the frog points.

Prices are subject to change without notice.

Prices are subject to change without notice

Prices are subject to change without notice.

All rail - 99' bundles - individual pieces also available

Prices are subject to change without notice.

Prices are subject to change without notice.

The track laying test car is a piece of clear plastic on which trucks are mounted. It is used to see and feel the condition of the track being laid, especially turnouts. It allows you to see high and low spots, tight and narrow spots and other rough rail by being able to look straight down on the rail and by seeing the action of the trucks. It also allows you to feel the condition of the rail by lightly placing your fingers on the car and rolling it along the track. The following cars are available:

Prices are subject to change without notice