Rohukan turnouts

Hello to all,

It has been nearly a year since I planned my Marklin Z layout (work, travel, and other interests took my time). Now, I finally want to build my layout. Earlier this year I got a lot of Rohukan track based on a layout track plan that I designed. I bought the track from Zscale Monster Trains. I began today setting up the track to conform to my track plan which I submitted to Zscale Monster Trains.. Needless to say I am dazed and confused, especially with regard to the turnouts. It seems not possible to connect two tracks to a turnout without cutting some of the roadbed away. Is this how it's done, or is there some sort of "connector" needed to assure continuity? I have a photo of the "track/turnout" connection on my cell phone if that would be useful.

I think I need some help with the track plan before getting too involved with the layout construction. If you have any suggestions on how this can be done I would appreciate it very much.

Thank you for your consideration.

Bob Fuller

Bob,
It sounds like you have the original R006/R007 turnouts. For these turnouts, yes there is some cutting as indicated on the back of the instructions (don't worry translations are available). These turnouts have been replaced with upgraded versions: R039/R040. The newer versions come with the precut track and have an the option to be non-power routing. The originals will route power only.
Hope this helps.

Post your track plan.

Mark

Check the part numbers on your turnouts the current versions are part numbers R039 and R040 and they come with a trimmed straight track. Older versions come without any trimmed track. Rokuhan has a video on you-tube showing how to trim the track.

The other thing that is important with the newer turnouts is you can convert them from power routing which is how Rokuhan packages and ships them, but with the addition of two screws supplied with the turnout they can be changed to non power routing or power every where which is like the Marklin turnouts and Micro Trains turnouts. It does not matter whose Roadbed track you buy you will have to trim some track at, at least one side of the turnout, because at best they come with only one trimmed piece of track.

for track plans David K smith has a good library of plans with listing of track pieces for Rokuhan and Micro trains.

jamesriverbranch.net/plans.htm
The site is useful to book mark as David produces accessory parts for Z scale track, plus building kits. you can check out Stonebridge
stonebridgemodels.com/

regards Garth



regards Garth

Bob,


One key is that Rokuhan supplies you a template to cut the track. It is on back of the packaging. If you lay the track on their template, you will cut lines extend aware from the track in the correct angle. Remove the joiner before cutting. Just make sure that you are cutting on the correct side of the track! Measure twice, but twice.

I used a straight hobby saw to trim my roadbed. The ZoCal guys and streamlined the process when they created their massive yard. They simply used nips to cut the roadbed away.

Check out the May/June 2011 issue of Ztrack Magazine. We cover trimming the turnouts/track in the issue and have photos of how we did it.

Rokuhan has also indicated that they may offer trimmed track separately for those who have the older turnouts. But I would not hold off. Trimming take a little time, but is not too bad once you get the hang of it.

Rob

Gentlemen,

Thank you for your quick responses.

My turnouts are No. R490-13 DEG with two-wire connectors. I didn't want to cut anything until I had more knowledge. I will watch the video and try to put the track layout together. It looks like I will need more track to conform to my original plan. I'm sure I will be back to the Forum with more questions since I don't know what I'm doing.

I appreciate your help.

Bob

Gentlemen,

Thank you for your quick responses.

My turnouts are No. R490-13 DEG with two-wire connectors. I didn't want to cut anything until I had more knowledge. I will watch the video and try to put the track layout together. It looks like I will need more track to conform to my original plan. I'm sure I will be back to the Forum with more questions since I don't know what I'm doing.

I appreciate your help.

Bob

P.S, Okay, I just saw the video. DUH, why didn't I think of that? Thanks again for the help--Bob