Wills Kits OO SS90 Point Rodding Extension Kit
Until now the connection between the signal box and turnout has remained mysteriously invisible, but with these new items from Wills replicating the real thing has become a possibility. The subject of point rodding can be a complex one, but the kits break down everything into the various components needed, and allows a wide variety of configurations to be created suitable for specific track plans.
Kit SS90 is an extension pack, containing another 2000mm (78in) of square section rodding with supports. Use with pack SS89 which contains a selection of cranks and compensators to complete the control rod runs.
The parts should be glued together using a proprietary liquid poly cement, and the whole assembly is best fixed to the baseboard using an impact adhesive BEFORE ballasting the track. Although moulded in grey plastic, which represents the galvanised steel of the prototype, the modeller can add a little weathering to help it blend into the scene.
There will be a real sense of satisfaction in being able to add this additional feature to a layout. These are highly-detailed kits, the picture clearly shows how effective the finished effect is and somehow the scene looks complete with point rodding in place. There's no doubt that it would be very difficult to replicate this on a layout without them.
Track, signal box etc. not included. Signal boxes and lamp huts are available as kits from the Wills and Ratio ranges. The Woodland Scenics range includes ballast materials in a range of colours to represent different ballast types.