Fast Track

[Coach Toki]

I'm looking to make a 0-48 layout using a 45 crossover.  I have the cross over and quite a bit of track.  I have all the space i could want to make this happen.  I have looked at the Fastrack book and none of them have a 45 cross over and all have a ton of switches.  I want to add switches as time goes by and money comes in. 

Is my best bet getting one of the layout programs for one layout?  Do any of the stores in the Pittsburgh area have one you can us if your getting supplies there?

[dwiemer]

Coach,

     Many times, the stores have programs available and will design a layout if you are purchasing the track there.  That is how I would approach it...have the measurements of the area you are looking to build and then talk to a rep from one of the stores.  Have him design the trackplan and then give you the inventory to order.  They may also be able to give you a deal if the order is large.  I ordered over $3000.00 worth of track and got a good deal.

Dennis

[trestrainfan]

As far as the curves go, Fastrack O-48 comes in regular curves of 30 degrees, half curves of 15 degrees and quarter curves of 7.5 degrees.

So, to have a 180 degree curve (half circle), you need 6 regular curves. The ends of the curve are now aligned vertically if looking down on the track.

If you have the 45 degree cross over facing the 180 degree curve, the ends of the crossover are each 22.5 degrees off of vertical (one half of 45 degrees).

So, if you add a half curve (15 degrees) and a quarter curve (7.5 degrees) to each end of the 180 degree curve for a total of 22.5 degrees more curve, the angle should match up with the angle of the crossover.

You can just lay out the track and adjust the distance between the crossover and the curve until a combination of straight pieces can connect the curve and crossover. Trial and error, but should be pretty easy.

Or you could purchase RRtrack or another layout program and do it on the computer.

[lionelsoni]

Crossover:

Crossing:

[gunrunnerjohn]

I use AnyTrack for my layout, it works great and is the easiest of all to learn IMO.

 

[balidas]

Do you mean AnyRail?

http://www.anyrail.com/index_en.html

[Demay]

Coach,

There is a Yahoo FasTrack group where you can receive all kinds of help designing a FasTrack layout.  Recently, one of the members provided a link to a new layout software program which is free.  I downloaded it with no problems and quickly designed three basic FasTrack layouts.

Joe

[gunrunnerjohn]

Yes, I actually meant AnyRail, must have been a senior moment.

[gunrunnerjohn]

Demay

 

 

Coach,

There is a Yahoo FasTrack group where you can receive all kinds of help designing a FasTrack layout.  Recently, one of the members provided a link to a new layout software program which is free.  I downloaded it with no problems and quickly designed three basic FasTrack layouts.

 

 

 

The name of this mystery layout program would be nice.

[Demay]

John et al,

Sorry for the delay, I did not post my

Click to show quoted text

original message from my computer.  I cut and pasted the message from the Yahoo FasTrack group below.  I hope that is okay.  I downloaded the software and unzipped the FasTrack library very easily.

Regards,

Joe

 

Greetings. I was tipped off about some free layout design software called SCARM in the Hornby Railway Collector magazine. When I took a look at it I discovered that there was no library for Lionel Fastrack. However, I contacted the developer on Facebook and he has very obligingly created a library. I am very pleased with this free product and have completed a couple of simple layout designs.

To download the software visit:
http://www.scarm.info/index_en.html

Download the new library of Fastrack rail sections from:
http://www.scarm.info/temp/Lionel-O-FT.zip

To install the Fastrack library unzip the download, place the .lib file into Lib
folder of the program and then start SCARM

The developer says, should you find any problems with the Fastrack library
please let him know. Follow this link and see the most recent posts:
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=178086192222000&topic=203&post=595#!/topic\
.php?uid=178086192222000&topic=203

I used the free version of AnyRail before but I think that this is better
because there is no limit on the number of rail sections that you can use. Have
fun with your layout planning!

[gunrunnerjohn]

I tried SCARM, but it was a bit "klunky" in the user interface, I find AnyRail much smoother.  I sprung for the paid version.

[balidas]

Yea no problem, I just wanted to be sure. I googled anytrack but only found anyrail.

gunrunnerjohn

Yes, I actually meant AnyRail, must have been a senior moment.

gunrunnerjohn

Yes, I actually meant AnyRail, must have been a senior moment.

[Coach Toki]

Thanks guys, All the advice has been very helpful and has lead me in a few great directions.  I thank you all for being helpful with a "train rookie"

 

Thanks Blake

[sir james I]

If you live near a hobby shop(or online)you can find some inexpensive track plan books. Over the years I always enjoyed designing my own plans and modifying them as I went along. We all enjoy this hobby in many ways, hope you enjoy your layout when it's running.

[gunrunnerjohn]

You can download the trial version of AnyRail and see if it suits you.   http://www.anyrail.com

 

You can also download SCARM and see if the free option works out for you: http://www.scarm.info/index_en.html

 

Finally, XtrackCAD is another free option: http://www.xtrkcad.org/Wikka/HomePage