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HO Scale, #6 Crossover Assembly Fixture for Micro Engineering 83 Rail

AF-HO-C-6-ME83
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Out of Stock

Production Time: 5 days

The AF-HO-C-6-ME83 is normally stocked but we are currently out. You can still order this part and we will ship it as soon as it is available.

PRICE : $176.39

Create great-looking and performing single and double crossovers using our double crossover fixture! To maintain proper 2" parallel track spacing through a double crossover, the crossing in the center needs to be integrated into the adjoining turnouts. This is a difficult job by hand, but this can be done with precision using our double crossover fixture. A flawlessly performing double crossover is always a great focal point on any layout!

Don't forget to order supplies!

Building a complete HO #6 double crossover was once a task left to only the most talented track builders. Not any more! Using our Double Crossover fixture, any modeler can build a great-looking and performing complete double crossover. In addition to building single and double crossovers, this fixture can also be used to make HO #6 turnouts—a very versatile investment.

Build crossovers that not only look great but will eliminate track-related derailments and frustration.

Fast Tracks assembly fixtures will help you build high quality hand laid track that:

  • Is Highly Accurate - Build Crossovers that stay in perfect gauge - permanently
  • Performs Perfectly - Eliminates track related derailments
  • Is Economical - Build hundreds of crossovers with one fixture
  • Is Easy To Build - No special skills needed
  • Can Be Built Quickly - Build a crossover in a few hours!
  • Looks Great! - Get results that rival even the most experienced modelers
  • Lets You Work in Comfort - Build trackwork at your workbench
  • Is NMRA Compliant - Will work with any NMRA compliant equipment

Crossovers are constructed by building two symmetrical halves of a crossover in the Assembly Fixture and then joining them to form a complete double crossover. In addition to crossovers, this fixture can also be used to construct regular turnouts as it uses the same geometry as our standard turnout fixtures.

If you order this assembly fixture, we highly recommend that you consider purchasing a matching PointForm tool for crossovers. This will make the construction of the switch and frog points much easier. In addition to a PointForm tool, if you don't have a StockAid tool, we recommend purchasing one to aid in forming precise stock rails.

In addition to code 83 rail, you will also need to purchase matching 0.0625" (1.6mm), (7 scale inches) thick, HO CopperHead PC board ties for crossovers manufactured by Fast Tracks. Click on the Supplies Tab above to add additional items needed to build crossovers to your order. Try our Supplies Calculator to determine the consumable items you will need for your trackwork project.

Wiring a Double Crossover

Wiring a double crossover is a very challenging project. The simplest and easiest way is to use a Hex Frog Juicer, which will automatically handle all the electrical routing for the frogs. All it takes is the connection of a single wire to each frog. The Frog Juicer will handle the rest! (Only works with DCC)

Note: We currently do not have documentation about building single crossovers with these fixtures. However, the techniques used are similar to building double crossovers.

Below is a cross-reference chart showing which rail other than Micro Engineering is compatible with our fixtures.

Fixture Cut ForRail SizeCompatible With
ME Code 55Code 55Atlas Code 80
ME Code 55Code 55Atlas Code 55
ME Code 55Code 55Peco Code 80
ME Code 70Code 70ME Code 83
ME Code 70Code 70Peco Code 83 (IL-115)
ME Code 70Code 70Peco 75
ME Code 70Code 70Pilz Code 83
ME Code 70Code 70Tilig 83
ME Code 83Code 83ME Code 70
ME Code 83Code 83Peco Code 83 (IL-115)
ME Code 83Code 83Peco 75
ME Code 83Code 83Pilz Code 83
ME Code 83Code 83Tilig 83
ME Code 100Code 100Walthers Code 83
ME Code 100Code 100Roco “Line” 83
ME Code 100Code 100Atlas Code 83
ME Code 100Code 100Atlas Code 100
ME Code 125Code 100C & L 125
ME Code 148Code 100Right-O-Way 148

Track Building Supplies

You have added supplies to the cart, but not the assembly fixture needed to build trackwork. Don’t forget to add the fixture to your order!

In addition to an assembly fixture, you also need to order additional supplies.

Enter the number of switches you want to build in the top box and then click the Calculate Quantities button to determine how many products you should order.

Enter the number of switches you want to build in the top box and then click the Calculate Quantities button to determine how many products you should order.

You have added supplies to the cart, but not the assembly fixture needed to build trackwork. Don’t forget to add the fixture to your order!

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You have added supplies to the cart, but not the assembly fixture needed to build trackwork. Don’t forget to add the fixture to your order!

Description
REC
Options we recommend you purchase if you don’t already have them.
Quantity
Option Price
Option Total
4702
1
1.0000
i
Recommended
$12.09/ea
$0.00/total
4703
1
1.0000
i
$12.09/ea
$0.00/total
3163
8
8.0000
i
Recommended
$1.50/ea
$0.00/total
3218
1
0.4444
i
Recommended
$6.49/ea
$0.00/total
6296
1
0.1240
i
$25.49/ea
$0.00/total
5208
0
0.0000
i
Recommended
$66.95/ea
$0.00/total
3204
0
0.0000
i
Recommended
$79.95/ea
$0.00/total
3161
0
0.0000
i
Recommended
$5.45/ea
$0.00/total
3162
0
0.0000
i
Recommended
$7.45/ea
$0.00/total
3177
0
0.0000
i
$12.50/ea
$0.00/total
4653
0
0.0000
i
$70.75/ea
$0.00/total
3184
0
0.0000
i
$111.20/ea
$0.00/total
3189
0
0.0000
i
Recommended
$0.00/ea
$0.00/total

4 reviews for HO Scale, #6 Crossover Assembly Fixture for Micro Engineering 83 Rail

  1. 5 out of 5

    Guest Reviewer

    This is the second Fast Tracks jig I have owned, the first was a well-worn one from eBay and it has been a pleasure to buy and use a new jig. The new Fast Tracks' website is a breeze to use and makes the process of building a custom kit myself, to my requirement, incredibly easy. Tim and his team do wonderful work providing us with the best possible tools at the highest quality to hand build beautiful track work, accurately and consistently. Shipping was quick and efficient, even half way around the world my parcel arrived within 4 days of being sent. I look forward to many turnouts and new, more complex, jigs in the future.

  2. 5 out of 5

    John Crellin (verified owner)

    Perfect for the job..... take your time and your crossover will come out perfect.......tip: build some turnouts first to get the hang of the whole process and your crossover will be easier to build.

  3. 5 out of 5

    Robert Thomas (verified owner)

    This is an excellent and versatile fixture. If you are thinking of building #6 turnouts, consider this as an option, as you can also create very nice single or double cross-overs with the same product, as well as the #6's turnout alone. Another option that might be overlooked is that you can create a lead into a parallel siding which has the matching profile of the turnout (or near that). That task is sometimes difficult when doing freehand. The online (YouTube) videos made by Tim are an outstanding resource for building any turnouts. There are also multi-page written instructions that are helpful. I recommend watching them through twice, so that you understand the order and common mistakes. They are also a good source for soldering tips and techniques. It would be nice to have a video or written instructions for making a single cross-over. I started with that, and a few things were not obvious. I have taken the approach that the curved stock rail should be made last, such that it can be gapped against the frog after measuring and placing the notch for the point rail. My first try resulted in the misplacement of that gap and re-doing the stock rails. I hope this helps anyone working on a single crossover, or the ExactRail team will post their own tips! Finally, when ordering, be sure you pick the correct speed sticks. It seemed to me that the recommended (default) option was the double cross-over version, where I was needing single cross-over version. I ended up placing a second order to get the one I needed, as the double cross-over speed sticks are not really adaptable.

  4. 5 out of 5

    David Reinhart (verified owner)

    I did a lot of research reading forums and watching videos before purchasing my first fixture from Fast Tracks. Building a once in a lifetime layout I wanted it to be as near to perfect an experience as I could make it. Hand building turnouts was part of that journey. I purchased the double crossover for the versatility of being able to do crossovers as well as regular turn outs. The ordering experience was simple. Everything needed to get started was found on the Fast tracks website. When the order arrived it was well packaged and everything accounted for. You could tell there was personal attention given to making sure my order was correct. With a bit of trepidation, I began my first turnout. I was amazed. I had a working turnout in an afternoon of sitting at my hobby desk. My next turn out was built the next day. And then I tackled the double crossover as I was filled with confidence. I was NOT disappointed. In four short days I had built a quality double #6 crossover. I would recommend Fast Tracks to anyone in the model railroad hobby. Excellent service and quality products, you can't ask for any more than that.

Add a review
PARAMETERVALUEDETAILS
Default Turnout Length18.5" (470 mm)This is the length of the turnout on the QuickSticks. Measured from end tie to end tie.
Minimum Turnout Length17.1" (434 mm)This is the shortest possible turnout length. Measured from the end PC board tie to end PC board tie.
Diverging Route Angle9.46 (Decimal)
9°/27'/36"(D/M/S)
1:6 (Ratio)
Decimal = Frog angle in decimal degrees
D/M/S = Deg/Min/Sec
Ratio = Frog angle expressed as a ratio
Tie Spacing (Prototype)20" (508 mm)Tie spacing center of tie to center of tie.
Tie Size (Model)L - 1.17" (30 mm)
W - 0.1" (3 mm)
H - 0.0625" (2 mm)
The actual size of the tie.
Tie Size (Prototype)L - 8.5' (2.6 m)
W - 9"(229 mm)
H - 7" (178 mm)
The original tie size that the model was based on.
Secondary Frog Angle19°The second frog angle for any switch that has two frogs.
Track Gauge0.66" (17 mm)The distance between the stock rails.
Track Spacing2" (51 mm)The center to center distance of the parallel track.
SizeL - 9.5" (241 mm)
W - 6" (152 mm)
H - 0.25" (6 mm)
The physical size of the product
Weight1.378 lbs (0.625 kg)
Material6061 Aluminum
Building Turnouts Using Fast Tracks Assembly Fixtures

This fully illustrated document provides complete details for building switches using Fast Tracks tools & supplies. These instructions apply to Turnouts, Wyes & Curved Turnouts in all scales and include essential information for building any fixture-built trackwork.

Building Double Crossovers With a Fast Tracks Assembly Fixture

These instructions apply to all scales and sizes of Crossovers.

Building Crossings With A Fast Tracks Assembly Fixture

These instructions apply to all scales and sizes of fixture built crossings.

Using The PointForm Tool To Build Frog & Switch Points

We offer a number of different types of PointForm tools. This document provides general instructions on how to use a PointForm tool. These instructions apply to all PointForm tools.

Filing The Stock Rail With The Fast Tracks StockAid Filing Tool

Using the StockAid tool to remove the base of the stock rail in a turnout. These instructions apply to all sizes of StockAid tools.

Completing Switches Using Fast Tracks QuickSticks

This Builders Guide details how to complete building your switch using QuickSticks laser-cut wood ties.

Building A Turnout Switch Using Fast Tracks Tools

Step-by-step videos demonstrate how to build a complete switch using a Fast Tracks assembly fixture, PointForm, StockAid, and other tools.

Using The Fast Tracks PointForm Tool To Build Switchpoints

The PointForm tool is not only used to file Frog points. It can also be used to file perfect switch points as well. Here is how it works.

Using The TieBreaker PC Board Tie Cutting Tool

Cutting each PC Board tie to the length you need for a turnout can be tedious and drawn-out. Here Tim demonstrates how the Fast Tracks TieBreaker tool speeds up the process, reducing the construction time for a turnout by as much as 30%!

Using The Multi-Brush Solder Paste Applicator For Soldering Trackwork

The Multi-Brush makes applying just he right amount of solder flux quick and easy. You will also find it a handy brush to have around for general model construction as well.

Using The 35W Weller Soldering Iron For Model Railroad Trackwork

Using the right soldering iron to solder trackwork is critical to success. We recommend the 35 watt Weller pencil type soldering iron with the ST7 conical shaped soldering tip. Watch along as we demonstrate how to get the most from this soldering equipment.

Solder Overview

Detail about the solder supplied by Fast Tracks for building all types of model trackwork.

Cutting Rail Gaps

We thought you might like this short video we produced showing the process of cutting rail gaps to isolate the frog in a Fast Tracks turnout electrically. This step is critical and can not be skipped. Otherwise, the track will have a dead short and can not be powered.

Making a Over Center Spring for Manual Turnout Control

A step-by-step instructional video on how to add a simple center over spring to a Fast Tracks (or other) turnout. With this simple spring, you can manually switch a turnout without needing any switch machine!

Using The Fast Tracks PointForm Tool To Build Frogpoints

Building highly accurate frogpoints is made fast and simple with the Fast Tracks PointForm tool. Here is a detailed demonstration showing you how it works.

Using The StockAid Tool To File The Base Of The Stockrail

Video demonstration on using the StockAid tool to remove the base of the stockrail.

Fast Tracks Video Channel

Visit our growing collection of track building demonstration videos

Fast Tracks Knowledge Base

In addition to an extensive Q&A section, we also offer a full library of track building documents.


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