I need a 45 deg turnout for O-27 or O-31 tubular track and I can’t figure out which one I need.
On both I believe the curve is the same as a section of curved track. There are 8 sections per circle therefore each section is 45 deg. The switches should be 45 deg unless they use a half section of track making them 22 1/2 deg. then you can add a 1/2 section of track to get the 45 deg.
I’m confused because most turnouts that I see listed like the FasTrack give the angle of 33 -3/4 or 22-1/2, but when I look up O-31 I see “31" Path Switch, 7-7/8 inch curve, 10 Inch straight path” and I have no idea what they are talking about.
So let me get this straight, if I use a Lionel 14062 31" Path 7-7/8 inch curve 10 Inch straight path Switch with a Lionel 65504 O-31, 1/2 curve I’ll have a 45 deg turn.
I want to use four switches and a crossing to give me two reverse loops but without the actual switches in hand it’s hard to tell if it will work. I used XTrkCad to lay it out with Fastrack, but they don’t have and tubular track.
Anyway, I think I finally figured out my patio layout using tubular track and here it is.
Oh, since I am new to this, I’m open to suggestions.
The 6-14062 has a 45-degree diverging path with the same curvature as O31 track. Where did you find, “14062 31” Path 7-7/8 inch curve 10 Inch straight path"?
I found it at wholesaletrains. I should have added “6-“ to number.
Anyway I’m still trying to figure this all out. I don’t like the “S” turn on the upper left so I trying to change it, but I’m having a difficult time selecting the track pieces from O-31 track pices.
This is what I want:
I think I need to take a break on this for awhile, it’s starting to get frustrating. I looked at doing just this section in Fastrack using O48 curves, but it only comes in full 30 deg turns and no 22.5 deg turns which changes everything. I can make it work if I cut the Fastrack curves, but I would rather use the tubular track. It’s easier to cut. If I can’t get it right with O31, than I’m going to have to start over with maybe MTH O-31 Realtrax.
I’m going to be running Williams Passenger trains, so I need to keep my curves and turnout over 42” Dia.
I’m going to be running Williams Passenger trains, so I need to keep my curves and turnout over 42” Dia.
JohnnyB,
The 031 path switches are not going to meet your 42" curve requirement, Think about using 027 PROFILE track, it has 42" path switches available, and K-Line made 027 72" curves, if you can find some. The 042 switches would probably CHANGE the crossing angle of your reverse loops, but there are crossings in other angles than 90, I think that 042 curves would use the 60 degree crossing, if IIRC correctly there are also 30 and 22.5 degree crossings as well.
Another thought might be to use Atlas O track, it’s curves come in 9" diameter increments 027, 036, 045, 054, 063, 072, 081 and beyond what you need. They have matching switches in all the curves except 027. they have many, many, many fitter sections in both straight and curved, plus several crossing angles and operating tracks etc. With the selection that Atlas O offers you may not need to cut anything.
Atlas O track might be a little more expensive than tubular, with the switches pretty close price-wise from what I recall, and it should be less expensive than MTH Realtrax, or Lionel Fastracks, especially in switch pricing. It is a very good looking track, made of Nickle-Silver, so your outdoor enviroment wont cause any rusting issues. If you were to ballast it, it would look very nice, but still better(IMHO) than unballasted tubular. I have ballasted a LOT of HO track at the club, and I don’t find ballasting to be the hair pulling experience that some do, I actually find it to be rather relaxing, es
That wholesaletrains description makes no sense to me. All I can think is that the “7-7/8” refers to the width of the turnout. The curved path is just the same as one 45-degree curved section of O31.
Thanks Doug.
This is exactly what inspired me to start this thread. I did try using different crossings but nothing worked inside the area that I have to work with. I only have 6 ft x 2.5 ft to make my crossing and I could gain a little more length if I use a Left handed switch coming out of the top left curve. The 45 deg crossing was the only thing that came close.
I took a little break to do some chores outside and I started thinking that if I just get the correct switches and 42” curves in tubular track, I can cut the pieces to fit.
I was trying to avoid spending too much money, so if can accomplish this with tubular track I’ll be happy. I may have to give up on the whole reverse loop idea.
And Bob, I’m glad I’m not the only one. I was feeling pretty dumb, but now I feel better…[[(-D]
Well, I give up. The 72” turnouts and a 45 deg crossing work beautifully, but unfortunately it takes up too much space.
I can’t lose my 8 ft lift bridge because my Air Conditioner sets right underneath that area. I live in the desert and use a swamp cooler to cool my house. I only use the AC Unit 3 or 4 times a year when the humidity goes up so I need to be able to open it up at that time.
Plus I really like the idea of storing my trains in the overhead box. I already have another 4x8 box to store Christmas stuff in. When it’s full, I press a button to an electric wench and the box rises up into the garage rafter area.
What about the 6-12080, 42" dia curve turnout ?
And possibly incorporate some small “S” to accommodate the 90* or 45* crossing ?
You must not be married. I don’t think my wife would let me keep a wench, electric or otherwise, to help me store my trains…
I can’t remember if I tried the 42" dia curve turnout on all 4. I did try it in the last drawing to get rid of the one “S” curve. One thing I know is that anything with a 45 deg crossing will not fit.
When I bought this house, it was more ideal for my wife than me so we made an agreement that the garage is mine. [bow] She’s a little skeptical about my current endeavors on the patio, but I assured her it would be in good taste. I also reminded her that Plan A was around the familyroom above the doors and windows. [:-,]
I was thinking of raising the entire layout and then I would have room for the reverse loops. It should not be too heavy if I build it right, but I haven’t mentioned it yet to the wife. [sigh]
Click HERE for answers!
Jon [8D]
Thanks Kooljock, sure lots of great info there. I think I stumbled on the small fastrack layouts once before but I didn’t know about all the other valuable information. [tup]
I decided to try one more time except I used Atlas 3 rail track.
I read on the yahoo XTrkCad forum that it had the same dimensions as MTH and O-31. I do not know if that is true, but it works. Now I just need to see if all the track is available and how much it’s going to cost me. I really hoped to do this in tubular track.
Oh and I used all Atlas O45 Remote Switches and a 60 Degree Crossing.
One question though, Can I cut the Atlas track to make adjustments?
