I know what track plan I want to build, but am struggling with putting it into XTrkCad. The track plan that I want to build is currently in HO scale and need it converted to N scale using Unitrack. Anybody willing to help me out?
XTrkCad Help (cont) I current space that I have to work with is 12'x9' which only has a wall on the 12' side. I can go longer than 12' if need be. Attached is the layout.
That is an ambitious project to try and convert that HO plan into N scale in the space requirements that you have available. The width of the room is the problem.
Like Bob said, it is an ambitious project. It looks like its all done free hand using flex track. It’s not always possible to convert something into unitrack. You might come up with something similar, but its just going to take a lot of time and experimenting. I went through the same thing last year and I finally decided to just sit down and learn xTrkCad. I spent 2 weeks last Thanksgiving experimenting and reading all the tutorial stuff that came with xTrkCad. Also, check out the yahoo xTrkCad group, you might even find a plan you like already done in unitrack N scale and just download it.
The space requirements don't seem to be an issue to me. You'll just have to make the right side of the layout proportionally longer than in the HO plan, so that you can have a sufficient aisle width. What kind of help with XtrkCAD are you looking for? It's easier to answer specific questions than give general advice.
That looks like the plan that is in John Armstrong's book, Track Planning for Realistic Operation. Duane Goodman
At least you're not trying to fit it into half the width - that wouldn't work, as the aisle still has to be wide enough for you. Still, I'd question if the aisle configuration will work in half the length... maybe so, considering the turnback curves will be smaller. This won't so much be a "conversion" as a complete reworking of the plan.
XTrackCAD Info I like XTrackCAD a lot! Be sure you have the latest version of XTrackCAD: 4.0.3a. If your version is called XTrkCAD, it's not the latest version, where the name was changed to XTrackCAD. The Beginner's Tutorial was a big help to me. Going through the Tutorial should get you to the point where you can ask specific questions. You might also take a look at The XTrkcad Tutorials from The Layout Party (6 parts). I've only looked at the first part, so I really don't know how useful they are. - Jeff
For additional help, there is an XtrackCAD yahoo group which is pretty active. Also, Martin Fishcher (XtrackCAD #1 guru) is part of the group.
