News from Finetrax

[Martin Wynne]

@Wayne Kinney

Wayne has posted a teaser pic of the diamond-crossing kit he is working on:

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/index.php?/...ointwork-kits/&do=findComment&comment=4738044

Looking very good. The change from cast crossings to pre-machined rail is a big improvement, and makes it possible to curve these kits quite easily. The inevitable rail joins at the knuckle bends barely notice.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Martin Wynne]

@Wayne Kinney

Wayne has just posted about the new kits in the Finetrax range available this month:

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/index.php?/...ointwork-kits/&do=findComment&comment=4770641

Looking excellent. This range is turning out to be a game changer for the 4mm hobby.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Paul Boyd]

Well, that thread got rather lively!

 

[Stephen Freeman]

I think the move from cast common crossings was way overdue, indeed my previous experience with them was mainly down to the customer preferring rail. It wasn't too difficult to replace them. They certainly make a range of excellent standard turnouts much easier now, as long as you are not picky about the types of chair/prototype fidelity (OK for REA obviously though) as there are quite a few folk who are.

 

[Martin Wynne]

.
Wayne's web site is now showing the Finetrax diamond-crossing and slip kits available in Standard 00 in addition to EM:

https://www.britishfinescale.com

Posting this here while RMweb remains offline.

The Finetrax range is going from strength to strength.

Martin.

 

[Martin Wynne]

@Wayne Kinney

Hi Wayne,

Looking at your instructions for the double slip, I think you have missed mentioning the need to add dropper wires to the inner switch blades (my additional text in blue):

Admittedly most builders will know what to do, but as these kits are aimed at beginners it's probably best to explain everything in full. Without droppers on those switch blades they will be relying on blade contact with their stock rails which is notoriously unreliable.

Have you considered adding links from the check rails to the adjacent running rails in your kits? It can improve pickup and running considerably. If a wheel rubs against a check rail the rolling action can lift it momentarily off the running rail, interrupting the pickup. Having live check rails is one reason why soldered copper-clad construction works so reliably.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Stephen Freeman]

I have bonded the checkrails in the past on plastic timbered pointwork, so must have thought it a good idea but with the advent of checkrail chairs have tended not to continue it, perhaps I should.

 

[Charles Orr]

I've just received my 00 gauge slip from Wayne.

He's temporarily closed the website while he's on holiday so I'm unable to download the build instructions.

Has anybody got a copy they could email me please?

Many thanks
Charles

 

[Martin Wynne]

@Charles Orr

Hi Charles,

I don't think Wayne will mind if I post them here.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Charles Orr]

Panic over, Wayne has added links to the instuctions.

 

[Charles Orr]

Panic over, Wayne has added links to the instuctions.

Many thanks Martin.

 

[Charles Orr]

Hi Martin,
Not quite there yet.
Do you possibly have the template I need as well?

 

[Martin Wynne]

Hi Martin,
Not quite there yet.
Do you possibly have the template I need as well?

@Charles Orr

Hi Charles,

Sorry, I don't have Wayne's template.

The rail geometry should be identical to the Templot one, BOX file attached.

Wayne may have made some adjustments to the timbering.

n.b. this is for "Standard 00", i.e. 16.5mm 00-DOGAI, -- for 00-SF the template will be shorter. As far as I know Wayne hasn't yet released the slip for 00-SF.

p.s. let us know how you get on building it.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Charles Orr]

Spot on Martin!

Thank you so much.

Yes I will certainly do that.

 

[Martin Wynne]

@Charles Orr

Hi Charles,

There is an option for double-slips in 00/EM:

Wayne's slip design does not require insulation between the inner blade tips, so it's possible he has used the normal setting instead of the 00 default. This eases the slip road radius and makes a bit more room for the K-crossing check rails. If he has done so, it is easy to see -- the V-crossing check rails will be spanning only 4 chairs instead of 5.

cheers,

Martin.