Mainline Curves

Hi,

Here we go with my daily daft question....

I've started laying my mainline, but i'm struggling to lay shallow curves.

What is the best way to do this, avoiding flat spots and keeping the two tracks parallel, please?

Many thanks

Marcus

warpedboy2 said:

I've started laying my mainline, but i'm struggling to lay shallow curves.

What is the best way to do this, avoiding flat spots and keeping the two tracks parallel, please?

Click to expand...

You can keep two adjacent tracks parallel by placing spline points at the same location the exact same distance apart. There are templates available that assist. You can also create your own double-track asset: the new construction avoids the issues with double track that created problems in the past.

Why do you mean by 'flat spots'?

I use multi-track splines for straightaways, and connect single track for the curves. Much later on (months down the road) when all the track is perfect, I delete the straightaway multi-track splines, and replace them with single track. My favoriteis "MB Quad" (4 track), and "MB Double" (2 track).

I measure my track, back from the overlap of 2 long intersecting multi-track splines, using the Trainz ruler, and most are 400' (or greater) distance, where I then place a spline point, then connect them with single track, and then delete the long overlapping tail end tracks.

I even check my curve radius work using the little known: "Get Radius" tool button in the advanced track tab, touching the exterior of the inside curve of a track spline point circle

Fantastic, chaps, thank you.

Just tried the above method, and ended up with two lovely sweeping curves with parallel tracks.

Thanks for taking the time to answer.

Marcus

I also measure my high speed mainline crossovers, and turnouts, at @ 287' long, spline point, to spline point. I also measure them on Google Earth/Ruler/Line/Imperial/Feet (or Metric/meters).

Smaller radius turnouts can be measured in tight freight yards, and industrial sidings, using the Google Earth/Ruler

I did put in a prototypical track layout on one of the villages on my branch line, using the rulers to measure it out, but the turnouts angles ended up being to steep, so I had to stretch it out a little.

Templates for Curves Etc

You might like this too.......

GOTO your Content Manager type in Template, you'll see some interesting things in templates you can put on blank boards to see how they work....

Ones below are by Beadyboy

<kuid2:37522:9996:2> LH 90d-1000m Template
<kuid:37522:9980> LH 45d-3Mile rad Template
<kuid:37522:9972> CS_Yard Template_1
<kuid:37522:9983> LH 90d-750m Template
<kuid2:37522:9999:2> LH 45d-2000m Template
<kuid:37522:9986> LH 45d-2Mile rad Template
<kuid2:37522:9997:2> LH 45d_3000m Template
<kuid:37522:9982> LH 90d-1500m Template
<kuid2:37522:9995:2> LH 90d-500m Template
<kuid:37522:9987> LH 90d-1Mile rad Template
<kuid:37522:9976> LH 90d-Half Mile rad Template
<kuid:37522:9978> LH 90d-Quarter Mile rad Template
<kuid:37522:9973> RH 45d-2500m Template
<kuid2:37522:9992:2> RH 45d-2000m Template
<kuid:37522:9979> RH 45d-3Mile rad Template
<kuid:37522:9985> RH 45d-2Mile rad Template
<kuid2:37522:9993:2> RH 45d_3000m Template
<kuid:37522:9981> RH 90d-1500m Template
<kuid2:37522:9991:2> RH 90d-1000m Template
<kuid:37522:9984> RH 90d-750m Template
<kuid2:37522:9990:2> RH 90d-500m Template
<kuid2:37522:9988:1> RH 90d-1Mile rad Template
<kuid:37522:9975> RH 90d-Half Mile rad Template
<kuid:37522:9977> RH 90d-Quarter Mile rad Template