Roadmaster Series Flexible Turnouts

Roadmaster Flexible Turnouts are a breakthrough in model railroad track construction. Instead of forcing your layout to fit a pre-determined turnout geometry, Roadmaster Flexible Turnouts allow the turnout to fit your railroad.

Whether you're adding a curved siding, fitting a turnout into an existing layout, matching a custom track plan, or working from a scaled drawing, Roadmaster Flexible Turnouts can be built to match your desired alignment.

In many cases, no special turnout radius is required. Simply follow a centerline drawn on paper, on benchwork, on a printed track plan, or even on a scaled aerial image. The turnout follows the geometry you create.

This innovative system eliminates the need for traditional turnout templates, metal fixtures, and complicated jigs. The laser-cut tie base and precision tie plates become part of the finished turnout while also serving as the construction template.

Traditional curved turnouts require the modeler to select a predetermined geometry and then redesign the surrounding track to fit.

Roadmaster Flexible Turnouts reverse that process.

Simply draw your desired centerline and build directly over it. Whether matching existing track, creating a curved siding, or fitting a turnout into a difficult location, the Roadmaster System allows the turnout to conform to your design.

The laser-cut tie base can be formed directly over your desired centerline before rail installation. The tie base establishes the turnout geometry while maintaining proper tie spacing and turnout proportions.

No specialized turnout-building experience is required.

Once positioned over your centerline, the tie base is held in place and formed to the desired curvature. The Roadmaster System allows virtually unlimited flexibility while maintaining prototype appearance and turnout geometry.

Roadmaster Flexible Turnout Kits include:

The rail is gently pre-formed to simplify construction, with the exception of the area adjacent to the frog, which remains straight as required by prototype practice.

Rail lengths are intentionally left long so the modeler can create the desired curvature before trimming the rails to final length.

We do the difficult preparation work so you can focus on assembly.  No turnout jigs, assembly fixtures, or specialty tooling purchases are required

Roadmaster Flexible Turnouts are currently available in:

Available in Code 70 and Code 83 rail.

Every Roadmaster Flexible Turnout is based on prototype railroad practices and prototype turnout geometry.

The laser-cut tie base and precision tie plates maintain proper rail alignment while allowing the turnout to be formed to the desired curvature.

Roadmaster Flexible Turnouts incorporate the same prototype-inspired detailing found throughout the Roadmaster System.

Features include:

• Precision tie plates

• Functional tie rods

• Cast frogs

• Rail braces

• Heel blocks

• Rail joiners

These details create a level of realism not typically found in commercially available turnouts.

The completed turnout is ready for painting, weathering, and installation.

The result is a turnout that fits your railroad while maintaining prototype appearance, realistic details, and reliable operation.

Beyond Traditional Turnout Geometry

Because Roadmaster Flexible Turnouts are built around the layout instead of predetermined geometry, they open the door to track arrangements that are difficult or impossible to achieve using conventional turnout systems.

Applications include:

• Curved sidings
• Curved industrial trackage
• Custom yard ladders
• Prototype-inspired track arrangements
• Complex trackwork designed around available space

Additional Instructions for Flexible Turnouts

Roadmaster Flexible Turnouts use the same assembly process as our standard Roadmaster Turnouts with a few additional steps.

Before installing the rails:

1. The rails are intentionally supplied longer than needed. The extra length makes them much easier to bend with a rail bender and produces a smoother curve.
2. After installing all tie plates and the frog, carefully remove the turnout tie base from the surrounding laser-cut wood.
3. Try to leave the two headblock ties attached together while handling the turnout.
4. Place the turnout on your layout or over your centerline.
5. Weight or glue the tie base so it matches the desired curve.
6. The rail beside the frog remains straight. Rails #1 and #2 have been pre-bent while intentionally leaving this section straight.

Rail Installation Sequence

Install the rails in this order:

1. Rail #1
2. Rail #2
3. Rail #5
4. Rail #6
5. Install point rails (#3 and #4) with the tie rods.
6. Install the guard rails.

Once all rails are installed, the turnout becomes rigid and permanently holds its shape.

Pro Tip: Apply Pliobond to both the tie plates and the tie base and allow it to dry overnight before assembly.

Download Standard Roadmaster Turnout Instructions (PDF)

🎥 Tie Rod Installation Video