The Nature of the Beast? (Track Splines)

[SharkNose]

In an attempt to recreate my 4' x 5' N-Scale layout in TS12, I think I've bent the track spline a little too much. I've got pretty tight curves and and to match my Atlas track, I had to use pretty short spline segments as using longer ones would not bend to the correct placement of my N-Scale track. Given that information, did I create my own problems here, or can these be overcome? (See image below and corresponding numbered arrows)

1. I've got a pretty sharp joint where 2 spline segments meet.
2. Some of my ties are "super-sized".
3. This segment looks pretty normal.

Thanks for any suggestions! The track is "Auran Track TS2009 Oak" - <kuid:30501:1001>

Andrew

 

[itareus]

The "lack of bendy" problem you are seeing there is because you are using a track with a long spline segment length, that is the repeat distance. From memory I think the Auran track is 10m which is OK for most prototype situations but for tight curves you need a track with a 2m or even 1m spline segment length. Easiest way is to try some other tracks that look right to you and see which bends best.

Edit: Afterthought, if you are simulating model railway fixed track sections then using fixed track assets at each end of the curve will get you a pretty much perfect curve (not true to prototype as there is normally a transition curve).

 

[BD1]

placemarker

 

[ZecMurphy]

This is due to the distance between the two spline points not quite being far enough to cause it to 'repeat' the mesh/spline enough times. The easiest solution is to have fewer spline points, or move the spline points further apart.

The other option would be to find a spline that can handle the shorter distances between spline points better.

Regards

 

[Dermmy]

The 'easiest' way to make a smooth curve is lay the two straights at the end, apply the 'Straighten Track' tool to both, then lay the curve between with one continuous length of track. This will give you a smooth even curve, but it will have the wrong geometry for a railway curve. The geometry can be improved by inserting one spline point 1/2 way along the curve and then pulling that one spline point outwards a bit till the geometry looks better.

That is not intended to be a tute for a perfect railway curve, there's a lot more to it than that, but it will get you going with a smooth, even, near-enough curve till you get a bit more into things....

 

[SharkNose]

Thank you very much for the replies.

I admit I need to practice some more. I thought if I brought up the topic here, you kind people would put me on the right path without me having to do TOO much trial and error. Interesting about the different spline lengths. I thought there was one standard (yeah, right). My N-Scale layout has all curves at an 11" radius WITH easements to the straight sections. That's what caused me to use such short spline lengths. I just could not match up the longer ones with my track plan.

I'll take just one of my curves and duplicate it with different track sections and experiment with that. If I can get it to look right with the 2 straights and curve in between example, it'll probably work for all my curves.

Andrew