Templot Club Archive 2007-2020
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posted: 17 Jul 2009 15:22 from: BruceNordstrand
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I did a quick search with no results (probably bad search terms) so I will ask instead. Can Templot tell me the total track length in a given plan? I ask as I would like to decide whether to go flex track for everything but turnouts or stick with handlaid on wood ties. Knowing the actual track length would let me work out the total number of 3' flex track pieces I would need..... Cheers Bruce |
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posted: 17 Jul 2009 22:37 from: Jim Guthrie
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BruceNordstrand wrote: I did a quick search with no results (probably bad search terms) so I will ask instead. Can Templot tell me the total track length in a given plan? I ask as I would like to decide whether to go flex track for everything but turnouts or stick with handlaid on wood ties. Knowing the actual track length would let me work out the total number of 3' flex track pieces I would need.....Bruce, I've only ever found total track length of parts of a layout by calling up each template and viewing the information panel where the length of the plain track is given, and adding up all the individual lengths. I can't ever remember stumbling across a menu item somewhere which calculated this value at a press of a button  Jim. |
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posted: 19 Jul 2009 01:23 from: BruceNordstrand
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Thanks Jim, I suspected that was the case.  I had to do the same on Autocad and was hoping there was an easier way on Templot. Never mind, off to gather the info.Cheers Bruce |
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posted: 19 Jul 2009 04:54 from: Martin Wynne
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BruceNordstrand wrote: I had to do the same on Autocad and was hoping there was an easier way on Templot.Hi Bruce, It's on my list as several users have asked for it. However, it's by no means a simple task to come up with an accurate answer. For example turnout templates can include approach and/or exit track, so simply totalling the plain track templates won't do. In addition, some of the plain track templates may not be track -- for example a centre-line used as a turntable ring or a platform edge or whatever. Some of the plain track templates may be partial templates within other formations, such as a slip road within a single or double slip. On a large roundy-roundy layout such cumulative errors are hardly likely to be significant, and you would expect to over-order the plain track to cover off-cuts and modifications anyway. On a small shunting plank layout, things might look different. It makes Templot look silly if it says you need 7 yards of plain track, and you end up with 2 yards over. The strange thing is, after being involved in model railways for half a century, I don't remember ever wanting to know the total length of track on a layout in any detail -- otherwise such a function would have been in Templot from the start. It's easy enough to drop a ruler on the full plan printout and come up with an approximate total if needed. Most modellers who hand-build track keep rail and other track materials in stock and when they run out they order some more based on the usual pack quantities from the supplier, rather than an exact measurement from the immediate layout plan. If you end up with an unwanted surplus, there is usually a friend or fellow club member happy to buy it off you -- or more likely someone wants you to build some track for them, and you end up buying yet more rail! regards, Martin. |
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posted: 22 Jul 2009 23:51 from: Nigel Brown click the date to link to this post click member name to view archived images |
There's another method. Print out your plan at a small scale and simply run a ruler over it, then scale up the measurements. It doesn't need to be exact, just make sure you err on the high side. That should be easily enough to give you a good idea of the number of flexible track lengths you'll need. cheers Nigel |
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posted: 25 Jul 2009 15:03 from: BruceNordstrand
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Thanks everyone Martin: For a person on a tight budget for my hobby, I need to watch every dollar. I made a mistake a couple of years ago of trying out a different scale and have been stuck with what I bought ever since. My desire for wanting to know the total length of track is twofold - one is to determine the approximate length to work out costs associated with buying flex track, currently at between $7.00 to $9.00 per length here in Australia for Microengineering code 83 flex. The second reason is because I have had problems finishing a layout for years now so the possibility of using flex versus hand laid may help in that respect. However, if the costs blow out due to the flex I will bit the bullet and just do handlaid - takes consideribly longer but is more cost effective. I happen to have enough rail to do the whole layout right now, just need a few thousand more ties and spikes. Of course no one else can help in the thought process of handlaid vs flex other then me so it comes down to dollars vs time. Nigel: Good idea, once I have finalised my plan I think I will go with that method. I suspect I am looking around 100 feet of track in total plus staging - time will tell how close I am Cheers Bruce |
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