I’ve been playing with XtrkCAD software and designing by just drawing what you want to accomplish seems like the way to go. It is an application meant for MMR because you are not tied to set pieces.
That being said, just how flexible is Flex Track? Can you make an 18" radius? If not what are it’s limitations?
Sure, 18" radius is no problem with flex track. On one layout I did, I put a trolley line in the town. Part of it ran on some old Tyco “street track” that I had - gray plastic pieces like concrete with thr track in it, which was a 5" radius. Fine for a little 4-wheel streetcar. For grins I extended it a bit with some flex track, and I got it down to a matching radius without kinking, although bending it THAT far wasn’t exactly easy. But 18", no problem.
–Randy
Extremely Flexible, here is a pic of some flex on a 2" radius !!! so you wont have any probs with 18".
I dont think even your hogwarts with harry on board could make the 2" though. [:D]
www.geocities.com/karldesign/flexibility
Have fun
I dont cut the inside rail even with the outside rail until I come to a switch or other overriding like requirement. I slip and solder the rail on to the next piece of flex track which give me one more oppurtunity to stagger joints on my layout. I do keep the last four inches of rail at the join straight when soldering.