How do you make track plans for your layout? I have RTS but I can not figure out how to use it. I am trying to figure out how draw it on paper but how do you get the radii and turnouts to be exact?
I got this great big pad of graph paper at Staples for $7.00. 1 inch = 1 Foot. I used my high school geometry set to draw with. I used my compass for the curves. The 1 inch squares helped determine the compass adjustments for the radiuses. In fact on the bottom of each page I would draw bar lengths of different radiuses with a ruler for quick reference when drawing.
I have computer architect programs I use, but for my layout I preferred going back to a simpler and what I find a more relaxing way of designing. Sitting at the kitchen table with a pencil and paper. After all a layout isn’t all that exact anyway. Just my[2c]
Brent[C):-)]
You could just simply do a concept drawing and consruct from that. The size radius will be dictated by the size of the layout. I did just that this last time and it turned out better than I thought. If you know the dimensions of the layout start by building it then go from there.
I use pencil, graph paper, a compass, and an architect’s rule or scale.
Unless you are designing layouts for others, or a huge layout, I don’t think learning the software is worth it. You will find that as soon as you start laying track, your plans will change.
Find a copy of John Armstrong’s Track Planning for Realistic Operation. There you will learn about the use of ‘squares’ to determine just how to fit the spaghetti (linear track schematic) into the bowl (actual layout space.)
My own track planning, after I used Armstrong’s squares' to get the general concept set, is done full scale with track templates (cut from cardstock, but could have been Masonite or thin plywood) and actual lengths of flex track. That way I can compensate on the ground’ for real world problems (like the three inch wall offset at the main electrical box) that tend to be unnoticed when sketching up the layout space. Using real turnouts (or full-size photocopies of same) beats all Hades out of trying to get the geometry right on a small-scale drawing.
Actually, I get around the turnout geometry problem by laying out my desired routes with flex track and hand-laying my specialwork in place.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
RTS is not that difficult, but, of course, there is a learning curve attached to it.
Any track planning program will not do the design work for you, but, at least for me, a nice drawing helps you to do the “sanitary” check and to visualize the layout.
Here is a drawing I did in RTS for a friend.
You could try this product. I have never personally used it, but I stumbled across it awhile back. It comes with tool for multiple radius of curves, turnout sizes and can even help you draw easements if you so desire.
How do you draw turnouts?
Turnouts can be done on graph paper very easily. Mark the spot where the two track lines cross. Count the turnout number of squares along the straight and then one square sideways. Draw a line form there to the intersection you marked. That give you the angle of divergence. The turnout length for each leg depends on the brand you are using.
I used to draw lots of layouts with graph paper, compass, and ruler. Now I’m pretty good at estimating what will fit so the last couple of layouts I have just had a general plan and then arranged track pieces on the bench work to see what works and looks good.
Enjoy
Paul