Linking separate Templates

[polybear]

Hello,

If I have two separate turnouts positioned such that the turnout roads are facing each other (so two LH Turnouts, for example) then how do I get the two turnout roads to join with each other without significantly altering the position of the turnouts, or becoming disconnect from other templates they are joined to (so in effect getting two groups of trackwork to join together)?

I'm finally trying to get to grips with Templot but this is one thing that's really baffling me at the moment.

Thanks
Brian

 

[Martin Wynne]

Hello,

If I have two separate turnouts positioned such that the turnout roads are facing each other (so two LH Turnouts, for example) then how do I get the two turnout roads to join with each other without significantly altering the position of the turnouts, or becoming disconnect from other templates they are joined to (so in effect getting two groups of trackwork to join together)?

I'm finally trying to get to grips with Templot but this is one thing that's really baffling me at the moment.

Thanks
Brian

@polybear

Hi Brian,

How far apart are they?

If there is space for say at least 3 sleepers of plain track or more, use the link functions. Start by clicking the branch track button for each turnout. The created templates may be far too long but the link functions will shorten them. About the link functions:

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

If they are closer than that, use the CTRL+F!2 turnout road exit length mouse action on one or both of them to make a connection. You may need to adjust the crossing angle on one or both of them to get a smooth alignment, and/or change regular/curviform on the V-crossings.

A better solution is not to have both turnouts in the first place. Extend the branch track from the first turnout to cross over the plain track where the second turnout is wanted. Make a diamond-crossing at the intersection and then convert it to a turnout.

If you post your BOX file I can explain all this better. The best answer depends on the actual track plan.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[polybear]

Hi Martin,

Many thanks - I was trying to get a branch track from one of the diverging roads to connect to the other turnout (or indeed the turnout itself to "extend across the gap" to connect to the other) - I didn't realise that both turnouts need a branch track on them so you could connect the two ends of those together. I'm not sure why this creates a plain length of track unconnected with any other though - PR005 on the attached box file? Easily deleted I know.

If the ends of the two diverging roads are close together to begin with then is it still possible to fit in two branch tracks and them link them together?

I also tried the diamond crossing method though - I was getting a warning box as follows:

"alert
Using the current settings, you are about to make an irregular-type diamond-crossing having regular-type V-crossings."

When I click the green box anyway the diamond crossing was created at the wrong end of the branch track; I tried moving the peg but that didn't help.

Many thanks,
Brian.

 

[Martin Wynne]

@polybear

Hi Brian,

That looks ok.

The link functions work only with two plain track templates, so branch tracks are created as temporary dummy templates for the purpose, and shortened or deleted afterwards.

You would have got a slightly different result by first swapping over the dummy branch track templates, so that the other one is in the control template -- click make the control on the background template (CTRL+click). You might want to try both results and see which you prefer.

The new bit of control template is simply Templot trying to be helpful. It doesn't know which of the link templates to leave in the control template, so it creates a new one for you instead. (You can't not have a control template.)

If the ends of the two diverging roads are close together to begin with then is it still possible to fit in two branch tracks and them link them together?

Lots of ifs and buts there. If both turnouts are the same crossing angle and the main roads are concentric/parallel it is simply a crossover with a modified track spacing. If the turnouts differ in crossing angle and/or the main roads are not parallel there are several ways of doing it, but most likely you wouldn't be starting with both turnouts. Start with just one of them, create the plain tracks intersecting, and then fit the second turnout at that position. Either by converting from a diamond-crossing, or using the find intersection function.

That might often result in a non-standard crossing angle, which might bother you or not. If you want to work with only standard crossing angles in a complex formation there is an option in the find intersection function to do that by adjusting the radius between each V or K crossing and the next one. But that is getting into experienced Templot user territory.

There are also manual methods of course. Roam or snake the second turnout along and alternate with adjusting the V-crossing angle and/or other settings until the rail edges align smoothly over the first turnout template without dog-legs. This is often quicker than doing a strict geometrical design. When zoomed-in on Templot small discrepancies will become insignificant when translated into the model.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[polybear]

Thanks Martin - I've getting there....
Cheers,
Brian

 

[Guy Rixon]

"A better solution is not to have both turnouts in the first place. Extend the branch track from the first turnout to cross over the plain track where the second turnout is wanted. Make a diamond-crossing at the intersection and then convert it to a turnout."

This I would like to do, as it sorts out my crossovers in slightly-diverging tracks. I can't find a recommended command-sequence on the Companion. I think it should go like this:

1. Make the first turnout the control.

2. Create branch track, which becomes the control and naturally intersects the other track.

3. Select, but do not make the control the track crossed by the branch track.

4. Select peg/align tools->Make diamond crossing (not Tools->make diamond crossing, which makes the diamond in the wrong place)

5. Make the control the half-diamond nearest the original turnout.

6. Template->convert half-diamond to turnout...

...and then it goes wrong, as the created turnout has its main road in the branch track.

 

[Martin Wynne]

"A better solution is not to have both turnouts in the first place. Extend the branch track from the first turnout to cross over the plain track where the second turnout is wanted. Make a diamond-crossing at the intersection and then convert it to a turnout."

This I would like to do, as it sorts out my crossovers in slightly-diverging tracks. I can't find a recommended command-sequence on the Companion. I think it should go like this:

1. Make the first turnout the control.

2. Create branch track, which becomes the control and naturally intersects the other track.

3. Select, but do not make the control the track crossed by the branch track.

4. Select peg/align tools->Make diamond crossing (not Tools->make diamond crossing, which makes the diamond in the wrong place)

5. Make the control the half-diamond nearest the original turnout.

6. Template->convert half-diamond to turnout...

...and then it goes wrong, as the created turnout has its main road in the branch track.

@Guy Rixon

hi guy,

please post your BOX file or a screenshot

martin.

 

[Guy Rixon]

OK, I maybe understand. Step 3 above, before making the diamond, needs to be make the crossed track the control and then select the branch track. Then at step 6 the diamond turns into a turnout from the crossed track.