Fast Track switch questions

They should be OK.  The transition is just more gradual.  I forget what the price difference is but if you haven't bought the switches yet, I'd consider the larger ones as it will give you more options down the road.

so they will meet up in the correct spot? Is that what all the little small parts are for? 

That's a whole 'nuther question.  Whether they "meet up" depends on the rest of your track plan and whether you are willing to make some minor adjustments in the locations of your two ovals.  To avoid an "S" curve, a straight tangent between the switches would be preferable.

You may have to add or subtrack pieces of track until you get the straight sections the same length on both sides. 

You should keep the same spacing between your two loops, but the switches will be located further down the straightaways.  O-48 and O-60 switches are longer than your O-36.

 

Two ovals is my track plan. I would like them centered to each other of course so adding a straight track wouldn't really work. I do want an S curve.

Gotcha. So either will work, but the straight section will be 15" right? so it will make my oval a bit wider on the straight end?

 

 

Here's a quick anyrail rendition of a shortened setup,  The switch on the inner loop is O48, outerloop O60.  Connecting the switches is a 6-16825 7.5 degree O60.  Various straight filler pieces even things up a bit.  HTH.

 

Pete

I think the short summary answer from above comes down to: you can make it work but you may have to work at it some.  I tend to agree.  I would not expect the O-48s to just plug in and meet without some re-assemgement on your part. 

The beauty, of course, is the lack of an "S".   Unfortunately, Timmy wants the "S".

Pete, that's pretty cool. The only issue is that I want to have straight track on the inner loop too. Can any rail join two 048 switches without the straight track?

Timmy - Not sure what you mean, but here's that same plan with straight tracks added.  This drawing was made using the free trial version of AnyRail, which is available for download here:

 

http://www.anyrail.com/index_en.html

 

It's the full version but limited to fifty sections of track, no time limit.  Pretty easy to use.  Suggest you download it and get the hang of it, which really doesn't take long.  I use O-31 tube track, not FasTrack, but the geometry has never let me down.

 

Have fun!

 

Pete

 

ps - It's a real good idea to avoid S-turns on crossover tracks.

 

I would think there would be difference between 031 tubular track and 048 and 060 fasttrack. Sadly that software is Windows only. (Side note: are all train peeps on windows?? I use a Mac.)

 

but if I understand Keith's reply above what I want should work but will just extend my straight track section a bit. 

 

Why would it be advisable to avoid s curves? Just curious. 

Avoiding "S" curves.

Obviously there is a difference.  I was using that example to express my confidence in the track geometry of AnyRail.  It's been real good.

 

Rob has posted what you need to know about S curves.

 

Pete