What radius curve to counter #7 T/O in Atlas Righttrack?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I am using the Atlas Righttrack software to work on a trackplan. Can anyone tell me what radius turn (full or half) to use when inserting a #7 turnout to line up the diverging route parallel with the straight route ?

Thanks

  • Tom
2

Tom,

I am assuming you are talking about Atlas N scale code 55 turnouts, Right? There is not constant radis curve through a prototypical turnout. The divirging route leaves at a straight angle. Here is the link to the NMRA page for the turnout you are looking at:

http://www.nmra.org/standards/sandrp/rp12_7.html

The ‘curved rail radius’ from the points to the frog are about 25.75". Atlas may have built their turnout differently. The bottom line is that it is very difficult to cut a turnout into a curve.

Jim

3

Sounds like a job for Flex Track and a more powerful, although harder to learn railroad CAD program like XTrkCad. I know it’s not easy to learn but it beats Right track hands down, IMO.

If you want something more powerful that is reportedly easy to learn, check out AnyRail. Some guys swear by it, not at it.

4

The 71" radius curve.

5

Thanks Robert, you da man!