Superelevation in plug track?

JP Newbold · 4 November 2023

I have been away from Templot or a good while and was unaware of the new 3D printing capability. Awesome! But I wish.... the track bed would include super-elevation! It makes a huge difference to the look of the finished article. Maybe the function could calculate the required adjustments based on the track geometry and the line speed - the latter could be entered as a design parameter.

Martin Wynne · 5 November 2023

JP Newbold said:
I have been away from Templot or a good while and was unaware of the new 3D printing capability. Awesome! But I wish.... the track bed would include super-elevation! It makes a huge difference to the look of the finished article. Maybe the function could calculate the required adjustments based on the track geometry and the line speed - the latter could be entered as a design parameter.

@JP Newbold

Hi JP,

Welcome to Templot Club.

Some built-in superelevation is feasible and has been briefly tried. The results weren't entirely acceptable in terms of the surface finish on the sleepers in FDM printing.

The big problem for superelevation is the long transition curves needed at each end. Most modellers don't have the space for that. You can't suddenly change from level track to superelevated track, and short transitions introduce track twists which can lead to derailments for rigid-wheelbase rolling stock.

My feeling (and experience building layouts) is that model superelevation is better under-stated and implemented in the baseboard construction and the trackbed rather than in the track itself. This is also prototypical of course -- real sleepers are not thicker at one end than the other!

cheers,

Martin.

JP Newbold · 5 November 2023

Hi Martin

thank you for the very comprehensive reply. I agree that super-elevation is not something that many modelers would normally include. However, it really does make a huge difference if you are trying to get the right look and if you are being closer to the prototype - and I thought that was the point of Templot. Also, I do not see where the (physical) difference lies between me inserting spacers underneath the sleepers myself or your (very excellent) software including them as part of the sleeper base for me.

Captain_Mumbles · 5 November 2023

I use 0.25mm evergreen strip. I start outboard and gradually lay it inboard as the curve tightens. When it reaches the middle I put a 0.5mm strip outboard and then work that one inboard as the curve tightens. Finishing slightly outboard of the centre line. The outboard edge of the sleepers never really get higher than 1mm above the road bed I reckon, but it is enough and looks real nice. Its a subtle feature and I think any more would be asking too much of the universe, like Martin said. I would probably only put it under flex track as putting it under plug track might cause some strange geometry issues. I have super elevated some point work but as I laid the points on cork I put the strip under the cork thus super elevating the whole thing.

Martin Wynne · 5 November 2023

JP Newbold said:
I do not see where the (physical) difference lies between me inserting spacers underneath the sleepers myself or your (very excellent) software including them as part of the sleeper base for me.

@JP Newbold

Hi JP,

I wasn't thinking of spacers. The usual way to introduce superelevation into model trackwork is to angle the baseboard risers, something like this:

These can be adjusted on each cross-member to create the required twisting transitions in the trackbed material at each end of the curve.

cheers,

Martin.

RBTKraisee · 9 November 2023

Watching the work done on superelevated sections on Everard Junction on YouTube, it's fairly clear that even with the most careful laying process it will never be completely perfect. As he learned, once the track has had some running, things bed-in and that leaves bits where you will want to make adjustments and fix issues.

That's why I 3D print my own little shims, which has advantages in that it allows for more precise control over track placement and has minimal cost. For superelevation, I actually want more localised control than a pre-printed track base could offer and its a feature I would likely turn off.

YMMV.

Ross.

Superelevation in plug track?

JP Newbold

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Martin Wynne

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JP Newbold

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Captain_Mumbles

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Martin Wynne

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RBTKraisee

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