Track Planning Template

[Anonymous]

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.

[lionelsoni]

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.

[brianel027]

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"

[Bob Keller]

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.