Does anyone know where I might be able to find dimensions of O and HO scale track sections? I’m using CAD and want to work on my layout but need to draw some of the track sections that are out there. Maybe rail sizes, on center dimensions and then just over dimensions and angles available? I see that you can use track designers but I rather just draw if possible.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/XTrkCad/files/Dwyane's%20Parameter%20files/
File Parameter File Structure Notes.txt describes the file format of the parameter files.
Stein
HO flex track (16.5mm track gauge) comes in 36 inch (one yard) or 39.34 inch (1 meter) lengths. The ties are 28mm long (8 scale feet.)
Snap-track and other sectional track - straight sections are 9" long, curves are usually 30 degrees (12 sections make a circle) for smaller radii, 22.5 degrees (16 sections make a circle) for larger radii.
Sectional track on ballast, the ballast form is usually 50mm or 2" wide.
I haven’t had anything in O scale for sixty years, so I can’t help much in that area. Likewise, since I hand-lay my specialwork, I can’t say anything about the dimensions of commercial turnouts.
I personally design my track plans with full-size pieces on card stock, but there is a free CAD program for Atlas track. Hopefully, some person with more computer savvy than I have can provide a link to it.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Wow that should help out a lot. Thanks!