What are TwistTies used for?

We developed TwistTies to build a curved turnout of unknown size. The approach to using TwistTies is closer to traditional handlaid track in that rail is spiked in place onto wood ties. Etched guidelines are engraved onto the surface of the ties to aid in keeping the geometry accurate. Pre-drilled spike holes are provided to also help in rail alignment.

Other than the throwbar tie, no PC board ties are used in a TwistTie built turnout. Rail is spiked by hand in place using pre-drilled holes and guidelines etched onto the surface of the ties. Each TwistTie is available in a left-hand or right-hand version. As assembly requires spiking, these are only available for scales HO and larger, including HO narrow gauge. TwistTies are very flexible and can be curved into any radius but still maintain standard frog geometry. For example, a #8 frog used in a TwistTie can be formed with a #8 PointForm tool regardless of the radii it has been curved into.