I'm finalizing my track plans with XtrkCad and am planning the next step. I know how to build my benchwork but am wondering how transfer my plan to the roadbed such that everything is laided out accurately. When I was designing my layout with XtrkCad I found sometimes small differences in locations and angles of turnouts made for significant variations in radii of curves. In the past I wasn't really concerned about minor variations but I had a few spots (S curves) which I had problems keeping cars on track.
I thought about printing out a full scale drawing of the layout and trying to use that as a location aid.
How have you guys done it?
A couple of possibilitys, which one you pick is up to you and your level of ambition-
Using your program determine grid reference points on the computer for your key track elements (primarily turnouts) and transfer those grid points to your layout....(IE 12" from left edge/22" from front edge). You can then connect the key elements.
Print out 8.5x11 sheets at the proper scale and tape them together to form a full size blue print, lay this on the layout and transfer the centerlines to the benchwork/tabletop.
Save your plan to a JPEG format and find a print shop with a printer large enough to print a large enough sheet.
"Wing It". I say that somewhat loosely though. The key to good track work on the layout is alignment. Start assembling your track with the complicated items first and see how it falls together. If things start to bind or look wrong adjust as needed. Even though the computer may say it is flawless your rolling stock will make the final decision.
I print out 1:1 layout templates on 8.5X11 sheets similar to what Ken mentioned. I take the 1:1 printouts from 3rd PlanIt Track Planning software and line them up then tape together.
Here are a few photos of my templates in use, the first one is of my double main line track with plywood sub-roadbed and templates attached with push pins and ready for marking the centerline.
This one is setting up my wye track leading into the turntable.
This is a link to a tutorial I wrote on 1:1 printing with 3rd PlanIt: http://piedmontdivision.rymocs.com/print1t1.html
Cheers,
Ryan
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
print out the areas that are critical full size and use these as templates to lay these accurately. you can then join these sections making slight adjustments as necessary.
there is no need to print out all the layout.
this is what I have done in the past.
concretelackey wrote: A couple of possibilitys, which one you pick is up to you and your level of ambition-Using your program determine grid reference points on the computer for your key track elements (primarily turnouts) and transfer those grid points to your layout....(IE 12" from left edge/22" from front edge). You can then connect the key elements.Print out 8.5x11 sheets at the proper scale and tape them together to form a full size blue print, lay this on the layout and transfer the centerlines to the benchwork/tabletop.Save your plan to a JPEG format and find a print shop with a printer large enough to print a large enough sheet."Wing It". I say that somewhat loosely though. The key to good track work on the layout is alignment. Start assembling your track with the complicated items first and see how it falls together. If things start to bind or look wrong adjust as needed. Even though the computer may say it is flawless your rolling stock will make the final decision.
i agree i did the third and it seems to work very well partly because you can test your rolling stock and also because you can change it over and over right there and test the variations.
Ok,
My layout will be around the walls of an approximately 15 ft by 16 ft room with the widest area on two walls being about 30 inches. So printing it on letter sized sheets and taping them together will work for a full sized template.
Do I need to anything to compensate for grades?
Thanks
If using sectional track you might have to slice and dice a few short filler peices here and there to compensate for the little bit more length added because of grades.
If going with flex you should be fine.....just may need an extra pc or 2....