And now for some awesome news!
BrickTracks, the company behind those injection-molded R104 and R120 (with R56 now available for pre-order) curves has finally launched a Kickstarter campaign for R104 switch tracks.
I won’t be going into every detail in this post, as everything is explained on the campaign page, but here’s a run-down of what’s going on:
BrickTracks has serously outdone themselves with the design in their switches. Starting off with the quality, BrickTracks products are top notch due to the injection molding. Having used some of their R104 and R120 curves before, the track is almost indistinguishable from genuine LEGO ABS.
Next, the design of the switches is spectacular. The throw mechanism is detathchable from the track and can be mounted to either side of the track: inside or outside the turnout. This allows for much greater flexibility in terms of layout planning and yard design.
PennLUG has been using a pair of 3D-printed prototype switches (shown in white in the video below) from BrickTracks and have been fully satisfied with the performance.
Special curved tracks are required to maintain the standard 16-stud track geometries.
Everything you’d need for any use of a turnout is included in what is being called a “switch kit.” For example, a Left-Hand Switch Kit consists of:
- x 1 Left-hand turnout track
- x 1 Removable switch stand
- x 2 Special R104 curves
- x 1 R104 siding curve (for parallel tracks)
- x 1 R104 turnout
- x 1 8-stud straight track
Everything you need for any track geometry comes right out of the kit. Single switch kits are available as reward options in both left and right hand configurations, and there are many more reward options to choose from.
This is a seriously good opportunity to get a quality product and show your interest in supporting the LEGO train hobby. BrickTracks needs a lot of help to reach the goal, and the end reward will definitely be worth it, as shown by the curved tracks we already have.
Head on over to the BrickTracks R104 Switch Tracks Kickstarter page for more information and to show your support.
Saw it over at Eurobricks and instantly backed for the switches.
I use the R120 curves and the prototype 3D printed switch and I can fully recommend BrickTracks. Please help funding this project!
I saw Holgers rails at the “Absolut Steinchen” exhibition at St. Augustin, Germany, last week and was impressed by the outstanding quality of the rails – this raises high expectations for the planned switches. For US LEGO railroaders first choice and for all who prefer the premium quality of injection molded parts.
For EU railroaders it might be a little bit expensive by shipment and custom charges. For us here in the EU exist an economic alternative: https://www.trixbrix.eu/. TrixBrix offers R104 switches since this saturday. The switches are 3D printed but on a very high quality level. I run several R40 devices and they work well with all my trains and locos.