Here Are Some Of My Favorite Track Tools
To Make Building A Model Railroad Easier.

It pays to invest in some good track tools to help you around the layout.

Fast Tracks tools

These are the primary track tools for making turnouts (track switches). Copper-clad circuit board ties in foreground are from Fast Tracks.

These specialized tools from Fast Tracks make the job considerably easier. Anyone can now build a switch.

Pictured here are:

• Rail-bender from Fast Tracks.

Especially needed for slip switches and larger scale rail like G scale rail.

• Fine rosin core solder and rosin core flux

This is a paste flux. Use liquid flux if you can find some.

• 6" and 10" mill files
• Assorted needle files
• 30 watt soldering iron with fine tip

Fast Tracks tools include special ones for forming the points and frogs. You don't have to use the jigs if you want to work freehand or with paper templates but the jigs make the work a breeze. The tie and switch jigs are designed to accept Micro Engineering Company ties (product 36-101). These can be purchased as weathered or non-weathered. I mix up some stain using India ink and alcohol or use the Hunterline weathering mix. I also like the Mt. Albert sugar pine scale 7" X 9" X 8' cross ties (product MA170).

Bench sander

The best tool I own for making quick work of filing rail was recommended by Fast Tracks. This was worth every penny. You can find it at Canadian Tire, Home Depot and other hardware stores.

I've since found it handy for all kinds of filing and sanding jobs. You can buy different grades of sanding belts. I wish I'd known about this tool years ago.

Bench vise

Another main tool is a simple bench vise to hold hand-made turnouts when you're cutting gaps in the rails.

Rail cleaners

After you're finished, clean the rail tops and remove any paint. These are products I've used over the years. I prefer to use a Bright Boy eraser and Aero Locomotive Works fluid. Others may leave a residue on the rails that can pick up dirt from wheels. Plastic wheels seem to be the worst offenders. I also have an Aztek rail cleaner car that I pull around the layout with Aero fluid soaking the J-cloth pad. The long-handled tool with the eraser I bought from Micro-Mark. It's great for cleaning in tunnels, bridges and other out-of-the-way spots. For other comments, go to my track cleaning methods page.

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Go to hand-laying track.

Go to painting track.

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