The Trackwork Manual contains a collection of 30 drawings which, except for the templates, are in a vertical A4 format and detail the standard practices employed by the N.S.W.G.R. in the construction of trackwork and associated equipment. There are 6 template drawings that show the standard configurations of turnouts and crossings using 94lb rail and 16'6" switches are shown for each of 1:6, 1:7.5, 1:8.25 and 1:9 angles. These templates show the setout geometry, sleepering, track components and check rails, and the sizes of all sleepers are noted. They include the layouts of left and right turnouts and diamond crossings for all angles, single and double slips for 1:8.25, and symmetrical turnouts for 1:5.478, 1:6.15 and 1:6.728 angles. The drawings of symmetrical turnouts also indicate the positions at which the angle of divergence equals that of the standard turnouts. These templates are in A3 gatefold format and are designed so that they may be copied by modellers to use as underlays upon which accurate, true to prototype model trackwork may be constructed. The components of turnouts and crossings, including the switches (blades), V and K crossings and check rails are detailed, showing all chairs, heels, fishplates and bolts. Additional sheets detail the operating equipment, levers, interlocking mechanisms and levers, catch points and rodding. Plain track is detailed for various weights of rail, including sleeper spacing, fishplates and fixings, and a chart shows the various weights and shapes of rail which have been used and the times when they were used, up to 1936. All rail sections are dimensioned. Further drawings detail guard rails, ballast formations used at various times, cuttings and embankments, rolling stock and structure gauges, buffer stops, gradient and mile posts and speed boards including details of their placement, troughing for electrical wiring, and tablet exchangers. Several pages of notes deal with the track and structure clearances, and the geometry of clearances on curves, including track widening and superelevation. All drawings are reproduced at 1:87 scale (HO) or multiples thereof, to be of maximum benefit to modellers. The manuals are soft covered and wire bound to allow them to be opened flat.
