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How to Hand lay scaled model railroad turnouts

A person holding metal tools over a corkboard surface.

Need a new hobby? How about railroad modeling? You can turn a full sized train and rail transport into a scaled model for you to enjoy. Model railroading is a hobby that requires attention to detail, so no slackers here, please.

Watch this video tutorial to see how to hand lay N scale (1:160) model railroad turnouts.

You'll have to first get all of the supplies and materials to hand lay N scale rail turnouts. Nobody said model railroading was easy. Learn how to prepare the template of the rail turnout, then cut the PC ties. If you're not very good at math, you might consider taking a geometry class or something to help you with the scaling.

Next up is filing the stock rails for your model railway. Then, learn soldering the stock rails, cutting, filing and soldering the frog points, making the frog, closure rails and points, cutting, filing and soldering the guard rails, soldering the throw bar and gapping the rails, cleaning and weathering the turnout, cutting, staining and gluing ties, installing the turnout onto your already built track, and finally... installing a caboose ground throw.

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