Hi All,
Been doing some R&D for possible N,Nn3 and Z scale TwistTies and thought I would post a few pictures of the progress.
If you are not sure what "TwistTies" are, have a look here for a description of the system we are currently offering for HO scale and up...
http://www.handlaidtrack.com/twistties.php
The approach we will take for these will have to be a bit different than the larger scales, and one that will appeal to the average N scale modeler.
We are working on both turnouts, that can be built either straight or curved in a variety of numbers, and 24" lengths of flexible tie strips.
The images below are of Nn3 code 40 track built on flexible strips of ties. The rail has been glued in place with Pliobond. Pliobond, a contact type adhesive, was placed on the base of the rail, and onto the ties. Once dry, the rail was placed on the ties and re-activated by applying heat onto the rail with a 35 Watt soldering iron. This creates a strong bond, permanently holding the rail in place.
Grooves engraved onto the wood ties aid in rail placement, all this trackwork was done without the aid of track gauges.
These images are of a Nn3 #6 code 40 curved turnout. This entire turnout was built using the same techniques as above, using Pliobond to adhere the rail to the TwistTies.
This is a fairly simple process, and this turnout was built in about and hour and a half. A PC board throwbar was used to quickly complete the switch points. Small pieces of PC board is also used to fasten the movable point and closure rails to the stock rails, for both electrical and mechanical purposes. This method creates a strong joint between the two rails, preventing the glue joints of the closure rails from weakening.
The gaps were cut with a cut-off disk in a Moto-tool. The disk was too large to fit between the stock rails, so it was dressed down to about 3/8" in diameter before using. StopGaps (laser cut gap fillers) are placed in the gaps to prevent closure.
This turnout is solid, looks and performs very nicely.
Narrow gauge TwistTies are designed to appear a little more "rustic" and less maintained, as can be seen in these images.
They are very flexible. This sample was cut from 1/16" plywood.