curved turnouts

Tom Crofton Jan 23, 2020

  1. Tom Crofton

    Tom Crofton TrainBoard Member

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    my planning for a 10' x 17' room layout requires mostly curved turnouts so the curves can stay as large a radius as possible (30-36" on main lines) and still have lots of turnout activities. I plan on hand-laying and building all the turnouts. I recently discovered the Templot program http://templot.com/

    This is a very complex and powerful way to make track templates for hand built track. The instructions are still being written and there is a steep learning curve. Most helpful are the associated forum and videos. This is not a program that uses manufactured pieces from a menu, but allows the most complex homemade curving track configurations. My own layout has been roughed in on another program but I plan on spending a few months revising it with this program as I am not able to start build yet anyway. For a deep dive into hand laid track, this is an amazing resource.

    It is from the UK and references British rail terms, but a little translating can make it a very effective way to work with curves.
     
  2. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    I spent some time looking at templot when I wanted to build a curved turnout other than one that FastTracks had a template for, but as you said 'a steep learning curve'.

    FastTracks templates that you can download and that are full size fit most of my needs but ....

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    .....I did design a curved turnout to fit one need using SketchUp and Paint.net and it came out fine.

    More of what I did here (5th and 6th item down on the menu) .....

    http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Trackwork/Trackwork-Index.html

    Keep us up to date as you move forward on with this. I'd like to see a finished template as I couldn't get that far and an update on how it is working out for you,

    Sumner
     
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  3. Tom Crofton

    Tom Crofton TrainBoard Member

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    thanks for your reply
    my layout as currently planned has about 50 turnouts and 200' of track
    i decided that the only way I can afford it, is to hand lay (I am a carpenter/cabinet maker) and that it would be a big part of the fun
    I have looked at all the methods and as much as i like fast tracks, proto87, and Central Valley systems, I really need to keep my expenses down to raw materials. i have a sawmill and shop and will make all my splines, ties, and bridges from my own trees. Since I really can't build yet, I am using the time to really plan. Templot lets you scan a sketch and then layout templates over it. I am just beginning to learn how to draw templates and connect them to redraw my layout. since we are getting a serious winter now this will be the next few month's work.
    I will definitely demonstrate how it works as I learn more. Unfortunately, a person needs to watch every video and open every menu to get the ability to start a plan. As the author states it is not a planning program, it is a template making program and you link you templates together to draw your whole layout. The videos are amazing but the terminology is quite foreign, (those other English speakers).
     
  4. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    You can download the FastTracks templates and simply use those as a guide to pure scratch build. As long as the radii are what you need, building on top of the printed PDF works fine.
     
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  5. Tom Crofton

    Tom Crofton TrainBoard Member

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    yes and thanks for showing your work, it looks great
    because I'm not in a hurry I'm going to delve into Templot ( i can't put the time or dollars into the layout this year)
    The neat thing is to try to get branches to be tangents of the main curve (or visa-versa) and avoid s curves
    also instead of arcs of circle, the curves actually can progressively change radii for super smooth transitions.
    Clearly for one or two turnouts this is overkill. Using Anyrail, I picked standard items from the list and bent flex track for the curves, but with hand building, the possibilities are infinite, where the curves blend smoothly. since my layout will be compressed, not needing to straighten out areas for turnouts will be a plus. I want to bring long passenger trains up from staging so the wide turns will make a difference

    thanks again
     
  6. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    I understand as I'm going to need over 100 turnouts if I live long enough. I did put out the money for a #6 crossover fixture that can also make #6 turnouts and a 19 degree crossing. It really speeds things up building the #6 turnouts. You don't need it but I'd for sure buy one of their PointForm and StockAid tools for filing the rail. You won't regret it for the number of turnouts you need to build. Other than that I've ....

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    ... built a number using their paper templates.

    I'm down to my last turnout out of 30+ that I needed for the initial build of the layout. I've been building those at home and also over Thanksgiving and Christmas out of town. So you could start building them now as time and finances allow. By making my own PCB ties and individual ties I'm down to under $4 per turnout so they don't have to be real expensive and you could get started.

    Lots more on using the paper templates and making your own PCB ties (less than 10 cents a turnout) and other tips here ...

    http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Trackwork/Trackwork-Index.html

    Good luck but remember you could start now for a couple dollars a turnout if you want to,

    Sumner
     
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  7. Tom Crofton

    Tom Crofton TrainBoard Member

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    thanks again
    I was thinking of buying some rail to get started as you suggest
    the neatest thing about this hobby is the huge number of facets to get involved in and the different ways to accomplish something
    your stuff is great
     
  8. Tom Crofton

    Tom Crofton TrainBoard Member

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    unbelievable progress learning this program.
    I may have to write a new users guide because this is so complex to learn from the existing (lack of) instructions
    there are tons of things I don't understand yet but here's a small piece of my track plan
     

    Attached Files:

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  9. Tom Crofton

    Tom Crofton TrainBoard Member

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    I have been learning the sketch pad function, where the track plan is turned into a schematic and you can add shapes
    this program is amazing and it will do completely custom turnouts of any size and shape. You can bend a straight turnout and move the frog. I'm learning the three way turnouts now
     

    Attached Files:

    gmorider likes this.
  10. porkypine52

    porkypine52 TrainBoard Member

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    WHOOOO WEEEEEE First SUMNER does a great tutorial on building/hand laying, and now this TEMPLOT program. What's next?
     

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