I spent about 2 hours trying to figure this out with the free atlas track software - can somebody help me?
I want a simple loop with 2 right hand 036 switches with a track that angles across the middle of the loop and attaches to the two switches. This way I can reverse my train direction. I can’t get the pieces of track to line up! I want to use all 036 curves. I have a loop with 12 o-36 curves, 3 10 inch straights, and 1 10 inch straight/terminal section. The atlas track software doesn’t really work, because Fasttrack comes in some different sizes. It has 10, 5, 4.5, and 1.75 straights.
Jim, I wish I tell you the exact combination of sections to use. It must be possible to do this, because fastrack can make a figure 8, and what you have decsribed is an oval with half a figure 8 in it.
Trial and error may work better than a computer for this. You are still providing all the brain power when you use the computer. It just draws nicely.[;)]
If the software does not have “Fastrack” then it will not be exact. I played with the track at the LHS till I got what I needed.
If I understand what you want, you’ll only be able to reverse one time then the train will not be able to get back to the original direction without backing up. You need a figure eight of some variation to reverse both directions without backing up. A Figure eight with two switches on the out side of one side or four switches will work. That would be a figure eight with one straight side or two straight sides.
Draw it out on paper first using a simple kid’s compass and a ruler. Use something like 1/2" to the foot and center line radius the curves.
You can do it on any “draw” program on the computer if you are savy enough.
RRtrack has a sample library for Fastrack with lots of examples using a variety of track radius’s that will do what you are asking for. Purchasing the RRTrack FasTrack library package is a also worthwhile.
It also won’t work because the length of the tracks are different. Atlas O uses 12 sections to the circle why Fastrack is only 8. You will need 2 036 switches (right or left) each with a 036 1/4 curve section connected to the curved part of the switch. To each of these connect a full 036 curved section. In the middle you will need two 10" straights, three 4 1/2" straights, and two 1 3/4" straights. Good luck!
Man - you are right! I just counted the actual curve sections and there are 8 for a cirlce of fastrack! Glad I didn’t buy any extra track before I posted this - that atlas software really had me screwed up!
Actually Jim, the larger radius curves have more sections to the circle. I believe the 60" is 12 to the circle, and the 72" and up is 16 to the circle.