... with curved turnouts was with the SMP 36/24" radius kits, which came out nearly 2 foot long (well 18 inches).... On the basis that curving the turnout does not extend the length too much (re SMP turnouts) would I be better advised to go for a 9 or 10 crossing angle? Hi John, Please ignore the curved turnout templates from SMP. The switch blades are far too long and not based on prototype practice (the same applies to the curved turnout templates created by Trax2). Curving a turnout in Templot does not change its length. However, before curving it you need to select a reasonably long one, otherwise the turnout radius might become too tight. The best sizes to use for significant curving are the "natural" sizes, where the switch radius and turnout radius are equal. These sizes are B8, C10, D12, E16, F20. If you choose one of those sizes before curving, you will generally get the best combination of radii in the shortest length. A ...

... finescale track on the right." So in your opinion which one is the best for instructing you to build finescale track? Hi Len, It was Brian making comparative recommendations, I was suggesting you have both! Without getting both books out now and doing a careful cross-check I wouldn't want to suggest which was the better. From memory, for model track construction methods there may not be much in it. Iain's book is much meatier and contains a lot more prototype information and drawings; the Trax book includes the Trax2 software on CD. When I've got more time I'll have a good look at both books again and actually answer your question instead of waffling. I imagine many members on here have both books, and their own preference. Iain also wrote a book purely about copper-clad track construction for beginners. I don't have a copy of that, so I can't say how it compares with the others. regards, Martin. posted: 15 May 2009 10:12 from: Brian Lewis Len Cattley wrote: Thanks for that ...

... topic: 2423 Basic industrial turnouts posted: 15 Mar 2014 12:56 from: Decauville1126 Hi all, Please excuse this very basic request from a newbie but I'm at a loss as to how to produce 'non-standard' turnouts for small dioramas. I did manage some templates in the old Trax2 but can't work out how to do it in Templot. The basic specification is for, say, a P4 6" radius turnout, diverging from straight track, constantly curved throughout (ie curved blades) and the crossing angle becomes whatever it does. More akin to tramway modelling but I have successfully got down to 3.5" radius with pointwork (I know I should get out more...) in P4. If someone can give me a start then it would be most appreciated. I can then look at changing radii, Y-points, etc, and even joining them up for complete trackplans for small dioramas. I tend to dabble in a variety or scales/gauges but am definitely from the non-savvy school of computing ...