O-27 Track Template

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know where I can get a track template for 0-27 gauge? I saw a plastic one several years ago at a train show in Topeka. I haven't seen one since. Thanks from a first time user[:D]

[csxt30]

[#welcome] yellowduckdawg to the forum ! I'm not familiar with templates you can buy, though there are some I believe. I used to just trace around some 027 pieces of track on some Luan wood or even cardboard. Might help get you started. Thanks, John

[Anonymous]

yellowduckdawg,
I purchased one several years ago from Walthers through my local hobby shop.
I just checked Walther's website (www.walthers.com) and here is the part number I come up with: 233-1000 it's $15.99.

[lionelsoni]

Here's something that might help you, that I've posted a couple of times. It's an approximate way of laying out standard tubular track pieces using only graph paper--no template. There are two versions, one for O27 and one for O31.

For O27, each square of the graph paper represents 1 1/4 inch. You sketch the center-line of the track for each straight track section 7 squares long if the track is parallel to the graph-paper lines, or across the diagonal of a 5x5 square box otherwise. You sketch each curved section inside a 3x7 rectangular box, with the curve tangent to the long side of the box at one corner and at a 45-degree angle at the opposite corner. A switch is just a curved piece touching a straight piece, of course.

For O31, each square represents 1 inch. The straight sections are 10 squares (inches) long or across the diagonal of a 7x7 square box. A curve is in a 4x10 box.

This method is not exact; but it is very close. The worst error is about 1 percent. For example, it makes some O27 straight pieces 8 3/4 inches long, whereas they are actually 8.839.

[webenda]

yellowdukdawg,

Do you have a PC (as opposed to a Mac?)
Atlas has a free template in software.
<http://www.atlaso.com/software.htm>
It does not have O-27 switches. I normally use the O-36 switch as an approximation. If I need an exact O-27 switch I lay an O-27 curve over a 10 inch straight.