CTT makes a track planning template for planning O guage layouts. Does anyone know if a similar template exists for planning 027 guage layouts? If not, does anyone know if there is a conversion factor by which one can convert O guage layout dimensions to 027?
Thanks.
The radius of O27 curves is 12.5 inches, to the center rail. Straight sections of O31 are 10 inches long. In both cases the length of a straight section is the radius divided by the square-root of 2. From these facts we can calculate that O27 track is 1.25/sqr(2) = .884 the size of O31, or that O31 is sqr(2)/1.25 = 1.131 times the size of O27.
If you have a copy machine and a scanner, you could copy a layout illustration with 027 track, scan in individual sections and make your own layout if your computer has any graphic arts capability.
Years ago working with Photoshop and Quark Express, I created individual 027 track sections and then could design layouts right on the computer. I also took dimensions of accssories and buildings I had made or had bought and could figure out where they would fit best.
You could even do it manually by hand if you have a drafting compass. Though that wouldn’t offer the ease of designing a track plan on the computer. I’ve never looked, but there must be some kind of template for 027 track.
For 027 layout ideas check out Thor’s website… I think it’s “www.thortrains.net”
I do believe that Collectible Trains & Toys also makes an O-27 template (or the O-27 outlines may be on the O gauge template). I checked the firm’s website (trainsandtoys.com) and it didn’t list it. You might want to give them a ring at 214-373-9469.