I have finally found a track plan that is HO and that i would like to use. But I would like to know if there is any way to calculate the amount of track i will from the plan: http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Track%20Plans/Alexs4x8Revised.jpg
Some track planning software will tell you the track requirements. I used XTrackCad and it gave me a list of the switches plus flextrack of the plan. Of course, with flextrack I wanted lots extra so I would not be pasting little scraps together and generally used the longest pieces I could to minimize joints.
The plan appears to be designed for sectional track, there are tick marks which show the sections. You can simply count them. “x” straights of " a" length, “y” curves of “b” radius length “c” (or more likely “d” degrees), “v” left hand turnouts, “w” right hand turnouts, etc. It looks like four of the curves are made with flextrack. (the curves on each end of the siding and the two curves in the yard).
Hopefully you know the brand of track used (or can figure it out) in the design because different brands will have different geometry and only one brand will produce the layout as drawn. The most critical to know is the brand of switches since few if any brands are direct subitutes for each other, although some are close.
If I were building the layout I would use flex track. Also using flex track would be the best way to go if you do not know the brand of sectional track.
If you want to use flex track, print out the plan. The plan does not have a grid but since you know the size (4x8) you can draw a scale grid on it (I would use a 3" or 6" grid). Using the grid as a guide, you could then eyeball pretty close the length of flex track needed. Don’t subtract the length of switches. While the full length of a section of flex track is usually usable in strait sectionsm you will loose an inch or two in curves. So it is best to have a little extra flex track available in case you need it, and the extra can be saved for future changes or additions. Using Flex track would allow more flexibility in the choice of switches.
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ill have to learn how to use the new version of xtrackcad. i can’t get it back like i had it with the orange track and all. and i couldn’t even find the flex track.
by three or six inch grid you mean that each square would be 3 or six inches on each side. and if so, what would each one represent. 3 or 6 feet? or how many feet
Alexs4x8Revised1 by Donald Schmitt, on Flickr
That’s awesome!! Thanks! ill finally be able to get started. probably do some of the calculating tomorrow.