Hi,
I was wondering if anyone knows of track planning software that is geared towards the pre-war track
and accessories. I am trying to build a layout using what was availabe in the 1930’s, I already have
a few of the “O” 021 switches and crossover and such. While surfing the Net, the packages I seem to find are for the current track items and the 021 switches take up more
real estate then the current ones.
Thank you,
Kevin Coyle
Kevin … I don’t but will look around for you … I responded because I read all the time some think they get ignored on their posts here but it’s the fact if most can’t answer the question they don’t respond that’s all .
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RR-Track has the O Gauge library. The 042 manual switch has almost the same footprint as the 021, & the geometry is the same.
Rob
The RRTrack software has options for pieces such as turnouts and crossovers for prewar versions in the Lionel O lIbrary. Plus with the flexability of tubular track minor adjustments are no problem. The biggest issue you’ll face is on the turnouts, or switches. “Prewar” covers a lot of years, and I’ve always found it’s best to try to roughly match the manufacture date of the switches to the trains that will run on that line. A couple loops without any switches is always good for running really old stuff, O27 or Marx.
Post any track plans you come up with, there’s lot’s of folks who are willing to help here.
Tim
I agree with htjsprague above, I am only aware of the RR-Track software that has prewar accessories library. For me, I made my own using Corel Draw. I simply measured footprints of accessories, switches, and track, then made either outlines or scaled scanned images of each. Below is my track plan I used for my 4.5 x 8.5 foot prewar layout. It certainly doesn’t give you the 3D imagery or ability to rotate views from different angles, but it certainly allowed me to estimate how many pieces of track, space, and cost. I also feel that there may be other software vendors with prewar options that I saw in CTT magazine.
I don’t see any problem with the 021 - just use the 022 or 042 template in place of it. Here is the 021:
The geometry is the same. A visual check will tell you if the mechanism is too close to adjacent track/accessories/structures. In some ways, the lower base of the 021 will allow more flexibility.
Rob
Hi,
Thank you all very much for the information. I will look for the RR- Track software and get cracking.
Thanks again,
Kevin