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  • The Plug Track functions are experimental and still being developed.

    For an updated overview of this project see this topic.   For some practical modelling aspects of using Plug Track see Building 3D Track.

    The assumption is that you have your own machines on which to experiment, or helpful friends with machines. Please do not send Templot files to commercial laser cutting or 3D printing firms while this project is still experimental, because the results are unpredictable and possibly wasteful.

    Some pages of this and other topics include contributions from members who are creating and posting their own CAD designs for 3D printing and laser-cutting. Do not confuse them with Templot's own exported CAD files. All files derived from Templot are © Martin Wynne.

Customizing from prototype pointwork drawings

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Acfield

Member
Thread starter
Location
Nottingham
Real name
Tony Overton
Hello, I’m Tony Overton, new on here and to Templot, but I’m learning, and I like it. At the moment I’m trying my hand at my first point, drawing it using details taken from Midland Railway point and crossing drawings – my modelling period is MR circa 1905 in Scale 7.

I have a question relating to drawing Scale 7 gauge points. Should changing the gauge setting from 0-MF or GOG-F to S7 cause the total length of a set of points to increase? If yes, why?

Cheers
Tony
 
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message ref: 1142
I have a question relating to drawing Scale 7 gauge points. Should changing the gauge setting from 0-MF or GOG-F to S7 cause the total length of a set of points to increase? If yes, why?
@ACFIELD

Hi Tony,

Welcome to Templot Club. :)

Assuming by a "set of points" you mean a turnout*, then yes. The lead length between the heel of the switch and the V-crossing is calculated using the track gauge. As the gauge increases, so does the lead length for the same V-crossing angle. This is most noticeable when there is big change in gauge at the same scale, such as when changing from 00 to EM.

If you want to model a prototype turnout exactly, such as from the Midland Railway drawings, there are several changes you need to make from the default settings in Templot:

1. you must use an exact-scale track gauge such as P4, S7, etc.

2. for pre-grouping designs such as Midland Railway you will need to create a custom switch. More info about that here:

https://85a.uk/templot/archive/topics/topic_1129.php

2_231113_100000000.png


Ask again if you need more about that.

3. unless a crossing entry-straight is shown on the drawing, use a generic type of V-crossing. More about types of V-crossings:

https://85a.uk/templot/companion/real_track.php

That's at real > V-crossing options > generic V-crossing menu item.

4. you will need to change to a CLM crossing angle. That's at real > V-crossing options > convert RAM to CLM menu item.

Note that you must repeat this every time you change a crossing angle -- Templot always uses RAM angles by default. For more about that, see:

https://85a.uk/templot/archive/topics/topic_359.php#p2081

5. there are several other settings that you will need to change at real > V-crossing options > customize V-crossing > menu items.

6. there are other changes you will probably want to make, such as adjusting the length of check rails and their flare angles. If you are really fussy you may want to adjust the knuckle bend radius to match the drawing.

7. and almost certainly you will want to shove some timbers, or at least adjust the fill spacing.

After all that, you will probably want to create a library template, to save these settings for future re-use.

If you are new to Templot, that's quite a list. I always recommend that users become familiar with the basics of Templot before embarking on such extreme customizing. :)

If you leave everything on the defaults, you get REA bullhead turnouts as used in the grouping era and early BR period by all except the GWR and BR(W).

*in railway-speak a "set of points" is another term for the switch only, not an entire turnout.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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message ref: 1143
@ACFIELD

Hi Tony,

Welcome to Templot Club. :)

Assuming by a "set of points" you mean a turnout*, then yes. The lead length between the heel of the switch and the V-crossing is calculated using the track gauge. As the gauge increases, so does the lead length for the same V-crossing angle. This is most noticeable when there is big change in gauge at the same scale, such as when changing from 00 to EM.

If you want to model a prototype turnout exactly, such as from the Midland Railway drawings, there are several changes you need to make from the default settings in Templot:

1. you must use an exact-scale track gauge such as P4, S7, etc.

2. for pre-grouping designs such as Midland Railway you will need to create a custom switch. More info about that here:

https://85a.uk/templot/archive/topics/topic_1129.php

2_231113_100000000.png


Ask again if you need more about that.

3. unless a crossing entry-straight is shown on the drawing, use a generic type of V-crossing. More about types of V-crossings:

https://85a.uk/templot/companion/real_track.php

That's at real > V-crossing options > generic V-crossing menu item.

4. you will need to change to a CLM crossing angle. That's at real > V-crossing options > convert RAM to CLM menu item.

Note that you must repeat this every time you change a crossing angle -- Templot always uses RAM angles by default. For more about that, see:

https://85a.uk/templot/archive/topics/topic_359.php#p2081

5. there are several other settings that you will need to change at real > V-crossing options > customize V-crossing > menu items.

6. there are other changes you will probably want to make, such as adjusting the length of check rails and their flare angles. If you are really fussy you may want to adjust the knuckle bend radius to match the drawing.

7. and almost certainly you will want to shove some timbers, or at least adjust the fill spacing.

After all that, you will probably want to create a library template, to save these settings for future re-use.

If you are new to Templot, that's quite a list. I always recommend that users become familiar with the basics of Templot before embarking on such extreme customizing. :)

If you leave everything on the defaults, you get REA bullhead turnouts as used in the grouping era and early BR period by all except the GWR and BR(W).

*in railway-speak a "set of points" is another term for the switch only, not an entire turnout.

cheers,

Martin.
Many thanks Martin for your comprehensive reply. A lot to read and take in, but I'd like eventually to build accurate turnouts for my period, but one step at a time - I've made a note to myself, must try to remember to use the correct track component terminology, and I can see why.
Cheers
Tony
 
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message ref: 1144
Martin

Before I make a start on anything tomorrow, can I ask do you think the attached drawings contain enough information for me to create a custom switch and vee crossing for a 1in 6 turnout ?

Cheers

Tony
 

Attachments

  • MR POINT & CROSSING DRAWING RFB20337 A.jpeg
    MR POINT & CROSSING DRAWING RFB20337 A.jpeg
    1.7 MB · Views: 202
  • MR POINT & CROSSING DRAWING RFB20337 B.jpeg
    MR POINT & CROSSING DRAWING RFB20337 B.jpeg
    3.8 MB · Views: 203
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message ref: 1145
Martin

Before I make a start on anything tomorrow, can I ask do you think the attached drawings contain enough information for me to create a custom switch and vee crossing for a 1in 6 turnout ?

Cheers

Tony
I have had a go at using similar drawings to create templates for MR turnouts in 2FS. I haven't built actual track from them so I don't know if they work. My difficulty was that while the switches and V are specified I don't know what came in between so had to guess.

Bill
 

Attachments

  • MR Turnout.box
    10.2 KB · Views: 190
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message ref: 1147
Martin

Before I make a start on anything tomorrow, can I ask do you think the attached drawings contain enough information for me to create a custom switch and vee crossing for a 1in 6 turnout ?

Cheers

Tony

Hi Tony,

Thanks for posting the drawings. The detail for the lock-nut settings for the loose-heel fishplates is interesting and not often seen.

Assuming the rail width is 2.75", the heel offset for the 1.75" clearance shown is 4.5".

For the timbering, the first dimension Templot needs is the distance from the toe (blade tips) to the centre of the first timber. That's not shown, but by assuming the heel-joint is central between the adjacent timbers, for the 12ft switch, that works out at 3".

For the crossing, the first dimension to set is the blunt-nose width. That's not shown, but I suggest 5/8".

Then the distance from the blunt nose to the centre of the "A" timber. Again not shown, but from the drawing I suggest 2".

For the position of the wing rail front joint, again not shown, I suggest scaling from the drawing.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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message ref: 1148
Martin
Thanks for the additional information. I followed your suggestions step by step and I've made good progress, a partly completed turnout completed and saved to library this evening. Your assistance has been invaluable. The vee created is 1 in 5.96 ! I shoved each timber to the dimensions I have for the switch and vee ends but with nothing to go on for the middle at the moment I've guessed they'd be 24 inch - this required three timbers to be inserted. However I'll ask the MR Study Centre in Derby later in the week if they've any more drawings which will help with the middle section spacing. Then I just need to check photos for check rail length and flare so I can adjust them. Cheers Tony
 
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message ref: 1150
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