in need of measurements of tracks and etc

[jamal17]

can anyone tell me if i have to change the measurements of the tracks or whatever I make

 

[ray_whiley]

You can make track etc. to any measurements you like.

What exactly do you mean by your question?

Ray

 

[jamal17]

i noticed that all the tracks in the game or the same size and i want to know what to set the measurements to when i make mine

 

[narrowgauge]

If you think they are all the same size, you have not looked very far.

The main variation in tracks is the GAUGE. (Note the spelling, it is not GUAGE as you will sometimes see.) Gauge is always the measurement between the inner faces of the rails. For mainline US tracks this is 56.5 inches. If you are talking about logging tracks, 36 inchs was the general standard in the US. There are many other gauges but I guess that 56.5 inches is the one you want

Auran track height standard, top of the rail to ground level, is 300mm

Peter

 

[jamal17]

i'm making items in google sketch-up like tracks, platforms trains, buildings, measuring them with feet and I want to know when I convert my items to GMAX do i have to change the length, width, or height when its in gmax

 

[ray_whiley]

In GMax, use real measurements - eg. if something measures 3 metres in real life, make it three metres in GMax and it will appear right in Trainz. You can also if you wish use imperial measurements (feet and inches) - but height adjustment in Trainz is metric (no matter what you choose for linear measurements in Surveyor when creating a route.)

Ray

 

[h8ball]

If you're working with UK "Standard Gauge" which is used in about 60% of countries, it's 4 feet 8 1/2 inches (1435mm or 1.435m) measured between the inner faces of the rail heads (thickest part of the rail that the wheel runs on).

You can usually find all the measurements you need by following References links at the bottom of Wikipedia pages...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_gauge
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_profile

Tip: Look for engineering drawings, even old ones, as they'll give you precise drafting info.

Hope this helps.

 

[PEV]

A little off topic.. But is it true that when Stephenson was designing his first railway he started with 4ft 8in as the gauge and when he found his rolling stock was derailing on corners and points, he increased the gauge by half an inch??

 

[Dermmy]

A little off topic.. But is it true that when Stephenson was designing his first railway he started with 4ft 8in as the gauge and when he found his rolling stock was derailing on corners and points, he increased the gauge by half an inch??

I believe so. Nowadays we tend to think of 'half' and 'quarter' as natural divisions of a whole, but way back in Steveo's day dividing into 'thirds' was very common. The gauge started at four and two-thirds feet, but there was as you say strife on curves as rolling stock got longer. It was reckoned easier to knock one rail out 1/2" than change the back-to-back on every existing wheel-set, hence the apparently odd four-foot-eight-and-a-half...

Andy

 

[PEV]

Great answer.. Thanks Andy..