Building Central Valley Model Works Turnouts: 1 Overview and Supplies

Please also see my updated building method at:

Central Valley Turnout Refinements

My layout uses Central Valley Model Works turnout kits. The CVMW line offers a wide selection of turnouts that go together and operate very reliably. The one thing I don't like about the kits is the use of a plastic turnout frog so I make my own frogs from rail and solder. My frog building techniques are taken from several turnout building methods and are by no means the only way to build frogs and turnouts but I find they work for me.

My example uses a code 70 #7 turnout kit; the rail lengths are for this kit only. You will have to adjust the lengths to fit your turnout kit size.

Materials Needed:

1 Turnout kit from CVMW

2 stock rails 12.5 inches long

2 frog rails 3 inches long

2 closure rails 6.25 inches long

Turnout template for the turnout you are building (available at: CVMW)

35 watt soldering iron

Solder and flux

NMRA track gauge

Track gauge of choice

Rail cutters

Files

32 teeth per inch hacksaw blade

Straight Edge

Super Glue

22 gauge hookup wire

Vice