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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 Some of the earlier pages of this topic are now out-of-date.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.

Turnout equivalent of diamond at intersection?

Quick reply >

johndon1968

Member
Location
Durham
In the screenshot below, you can can see I have two pieces of plain track - lets call the straight one the main line and the curved one the branch. Is there a function similar to the insert diamond at intersection that would automatically insert a turnout of the correct dimensions to lead on to the branch from the main?

Templot.jpg
 
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@johndon1968

Hi John,

Welcome to Templot Club. :)

Yes, you can do that, but you need to know what you are doing. A curved branch track like that will need a curviform type of V-crossing, and the crossing angle is very likely to be a non-standard size.

Also, there isn't one single design of turnout which fits, there can be different switch sizes and other settings.

The first thing to do as you have them there is to make the control on the background template, and then insert a turnout in it:

fit_turnout1.png


The size and position of the turnout doesn't matter, but it needs to be of the required hand and facing in the required direction, to help Templot find the right one. Also the size of switch needs to be whatever you want for the final turnout. Here it is a "B" switch.

Then do all this:

fit_turnout2.png


fit_turnout3.png


Make sure to select the required running rail on the background template above. Plain track templates have a flag at one end marking the main side (MS) of the template. The turnout side (TS) is not flagged.


fit_turnout4.png


fit_turnout5.png



And after deleting the original template:

fit_turnout6.png


More about this function at:

https://85a.uk/templot/club/index.php?threads/changes-in-templot-version-227.180/post-1563

After finding the above curviform turnout, it would be better to change it to the next standard size (in this case B-7.5) with a regular or generic type of V-crossing. Then make branch track, and if the alignment of the original curve is important, link the branch track to it.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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