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TEMPLOT 3D PLUG TRACK - To get up to speed with this experimental project click here.   To watch an introductory video click here.   See the User Guide at Bexhill West.

  • The Plug Track functions are experimental and still being developed. Some of the earlier pages of this topic are now out-of-date.

    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.
  • 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.

Track Repair.

Quick reply >

Murryb

Member
Location
New Zealand
I have a layout which had to be cut to move and I need to repair where cut. There was no option in where it is cut, how do I get a template to carry out repairs.

Layout 8.jpg
 
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There was an article on here the other day about making a template from a tracing. Make a tracing of what's there and look back for the other thread.
 
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You might be able to work from the photo, if you have a a couple known distances and can then scale the photo to those dimensions.
 
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@Murryb

Hi Murry,

Welcome to Templot Club. :)

You didn't say, but I'm guessing this is 32mm 0 gauge at 90mm track centres?

In which case these are ordinary B-6 turnouts, over your scaled photo:

murry_guess.png


If you take the photo again with a ruler in it, we could probably get a closer match.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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p.s.

On second thoughts I think the lower turnout may be an A-6, hence the switch protection check rail:

murry_guess1.png


Martin.
 
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Hmm, looks like EM to me judging by the width and check gauges. I don't think code 125 rail would bend quite that easily. Construction looks to have probably used Exactoscale parts, the turnout on the left has an interlaced element to it. As has been suggested a tracing would probably be the best option. scan it, copy it into Templot create template, check fit, repeat as many times as needed.
 
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The switches are I think C&L going by part of the template under the switches, other than that I do not know what else was used. How do you tell if it is a B or A.

Layout 9.jpg
 
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Difficult to tell, might be neither of course, best way is the tracing
Ah if a C&L Template is involved then it will be most probably C, B or A. The one on the left is likely to be a B but could be a C. The one on the right looks sharper so either A or B.
 
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Hi Murry,

So it is 0 gauge as I guessed?

murry_gauge.jpg


In all the years I've been supporting Templot, you wouldn't believe how difficult it is to prise the GAUGE out of folks. :)

Martin.
 
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Sorry I actually forgot when it was mentioned by Stephen I had a panic moment and checked with a wagon and then I remembered Douglas Hey had some wagons from the layout.

Lochdubh Layout construction.jpg
 
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But Murry you STILL haven't told us the track gauge! :)

From the flangeways I think it might be 33mm S7. Or from the ruler maybe 31.5mm 0-MF?

Martin.
 
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I have just noticed the pristine turnout to the left in plastic sleeve. Perhaps you could compare it to the damaged ones to see which is appropriate. Looks to be made from C&L + Exactoscale parts. C&L don't supply ready-built any more. I think Norman Saunders (Just Tracks) used to do them for them (at least the method of construction was the same I think) but not an option anymore since his passing.
Of course there are other options.

I don't know how code 125 rail can bend like that?
 
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Last edited:
Finally, O Gauge. I have compared one of the pristine turnouts and it fits in one position the lefthand turnout and is 8ft radius There are also some other turnouts K&L and it says 32mm but they are larger radius. It was a deceased Estate and there was a lot of bits and pieces and Douglas Hey who I stayed with sold me some other stuff. He is in the North Island and I am in the South Island or as we say the Mainland.
Murray
 
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@Murryb

Hi Murry,

In the circumstances I think there is a much easier way than all the faff of making a rubbing, scanning it in sections, importing the scans into Templot, scaling them to the right size and aligning them accurately with each other, and then trying to align new templates over them.

Instead:

1. finally decide your track gauge. 32mm GOG-F or 31.5mm 0-MF. Set it in Templot.

2. from the photo we know the crossing angle is 1:6 , so set a B-6 template, and add some approach track.

3. print it out, possibly on tracing paper.

4. align it over the existing crossing and see how well it fits at the other end.

5. curve it a bit more or a bit less in Templot and print another one.

6. repeat until you get a good fit. Throw away the scrap templates -- to save ink you can switch off the timbering and print only the rails until you are ready to print the final templates.

All just a few clicks and much easier than learning to align templates over scans.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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Hi Murray,

You will need to put Templot and your box file on a memory stick, unless you put the box file on the cloud and download Templot onto your works computer. Not many firms allow employees to download software onto their computers.
 
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Martin can I access my storage box from another computer ie the ones at work, as I do not have a printer at the moment.
@Murryb

Hi Murry,

As Phil says, you could copy the Templot program (templot_2.exe) and your /BOX-FILES/ folder onto a USB memory stick (thumb drive). Templot will run directly from a memory stick on any Windows computer you plug it into, it doesn't actually need to be installed on the computer. Assuming the computer administrator allows such things.

However the much easier solution is to export a PDF file instead of printing your templates. The PDF file can then be printed on any computer which has a printer, Windows or not.

To export a PDF file, go to output > export a file menu item. Select the PDF document option. Choose the USB drive for the file, then carry on as if printing the templates.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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I have finally arrived at a template but decided because there was no coaling stage to try and fit one in as part of the repairs and was successful, at least I think so. To obtain the necessary parts would the easiest be to send a copy of the templates to C&L. I missed the Templot evening, for me it is a very late night or very early morning.
 
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