Does anyone know where I can get a track template for 0-27 gauge? I saw a plastic one several years ago at a train show in Topeka. I haven’t seen one since. Thanks from a first time user[:D]
[#welcome] yellowduckdawg to the forum ! I’m not familiar with templates you can buy, though there are some I believe. I used to just trace around some 027 pieces of track on some Luan wood or even cardboard. Might help get you started. Thanks, John
yellowduckdawg,
I purchased one several years ago from Walthers through my local hobby shop.
I just checked Walther’s website (www.walthers.com) and here is the part number I come up with: 233-1000 it’s $15.99.
Here’s something that might help you, that I’ve posted a couple of times. It’s an approximate way of laying out standard tubular track pieces using only graph paper–no template. There are two versions, one for O27 and one for O31.
For O27, each square of the graph paper represents 1 1/4 inch. You sketch the center-line of the track for each straight track section 7 squares long if the track is parallel to the graph-paper lines, or across the diagonal of a 5x5 square box otherwise. You sketch each curved section inside a 3x7 rectangular box, with the curve tangent to the long side of the box at one corner and at a 45-degree angle at the opposite corner. A switch is just a curved piece touching a straight piece, of course.
For O31, each square represents 1 inch. The straight sections are 10 squares (inches) long or across the diagonal of a 7x7 square box. A curve is in a 4x10 box.
This method is not exact; but it is very close. The worst error is about 1 percent. For example, it makes some O27 straight pieces 8 3/4 inches long, whereas they are actually 8.839.
yellowdukdawg,
Do you have a PC (as opposed to a Mac?)
Atlas has a free template in software.
http://www.atlaso.com/software.htm
It does not have O-27 switches. I normally use the O-36 switch as an approximation. If I need an exact O-27 switch I lay an O-27 curve over a 10 inch straight.