What is your most valuable tracklaying tool ?

[cascaderailroad]

I have just learned the secrets of laying, and making adjustments spline points in yard ladders (a most difficult thing to get straight). I have tried all the "Guides" but they are very confusing, difficult to use, and are hard on the eye.

PRR Track Guide <kuid:106916:10328> by GFisher - His track guide puts track spacing (track spline points overlapping) at @ 4m, which really makes prototypically PRR tight track spacing.

track alignment tool 50 tracks 5m <kuid2:222633:485050:1> by Arjen-O
recolor with black in MS Paint/fill

Curve Radius 100-600m 90 degree <kuid2:142427:30000:2> by maddog1169
recolor with black in MS Paint/fill
Add the lines in the config file:
rotstep 90
height-range -500,500

Curve Radius 750-1500m 30 degree <kuid2:142427:30001:2> maddog1169
recolor with black in MS Paint/fill
Add the lines in the config file:
rotstep 30
height-range -500,500

FT 5 Deg 75m Rad <kuid:58377:60030> by Prjindigo - I use assembled full circles of curved FT Track as a temporary template, and slide it out of the way, after sliding the (track of my choice) spline points, to match the FT spline points locations. (The Hold/Don't Hold - Shift key is an invaluable tool to master).

FT straight 1000m <kuid:-3:10093> by Auran

 

[Euphod]

I actually align my tracks using level crossings, and then the spline circles. I've never used a tool.

 

[gfisher]

My eyeballs.

 

[olpe]

"Add track" :hehe: .

I have, like Euphod, never used any tools like that. But I do mostly mountainous narrow gauge routes, and those have to follow the terrain, and care less about being geometrically correct...

 

[davesnow]

The only "tools" I use are a string of hoppers, one-half mile (804.67 meters) in length. Half of them are green---the other half grey. I use them to set my mile markers and whistle signs.

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[Firemanflyn]

'Get Vertex height' tool is useful especially if double tracking -
though if correct track height is to be obtained for both tracks
make sure that vertex's are opposite each other - any variation
no matter how slight will give a different track height.

 

[martinvk]

Any of the Push Pin and Map Flag series 70337:23005 to 23015. Great to mark temporary locations in a route under construction.

Lat/Long Reader 70337:23016:10 to help align objects to real world locations when modeling a prototypical route.

Guide 4m 70337:23001 to place two splices at 4m center to center. When placed at each vertex location, the tracks keeps its spacing no matter how it bends. The guide track takes on the attached track's appearance so they don't distract.

Angle guide 70337:23019:9 to help place and align tracks and other objects at any angle up to 10 km apart.

Camera guide sphere 70337:23049 to help place overlapping tracking cameras so there is a smooth hand off from one camera to the next and no gap in their coverage.

 

[pfx]

I make constant use of 61119:1080 track spacing template by Natvander and 210518:7868:3 UK catenary height tool by the prolific Mr Bendorsey. Also Glasgow Trainz radius tools.

 

[captainkman]

I use Andi06's Junction Kit frequently, as it lets me always get my junctions straight, and adds a bit more realism with the moving switchblades. I also enjoy wiring them because you have an animated junction at the end.

 

[American_Connections]

Terrain Tool

Not to be bias, but I like the tool I made for slopes the best. It allows me to set terrain slopes closer to the track without covering them. It also adds better realism to results of smooth transitions.

 

[bl4882]

In addition to the tools built into Surveyor, I find the following indispensible.

#1: mr.den "Guide Curve," KUID:141417:6005, et al - there are over a hundred of them.

#2: vulcan "Ruler," KUID:2:60238:201:2, comes in 100m and 50m versions

#3: nzrailfan "360 Protractor," KUID:45676:23069, the large version

Bernie

 

[cascaderailroad]

'Get Vertex height' tool is useful especially if double tracking -
though if correct track height is to be obtained for both tracks
make sure that vertex's are opposite each other - any variation
no matter how slight will give a different track height.

And too, with the topography height measurement tool ... just add 0.20m to a track spline point ... very useful when laying yard ladder tracks on a gradient. (not all yards are flat ! Mine is on a 0.41% grade).