FasTrack Switch Questions-Trying to 3D model track in SolidWorks

I have Lionel fastrack auto cad blocks if they would help.  I designed my layout in autocad.  I did find that the 060 switchers are not drawn as Lionel built them.  The rest have worked fine.  I could send you the drawing of the blocks if you like?

Thank you, Jon

That'd be a great starting point!  What format are they in?  I should be able to open DWG and DXF formats.

I'm not sure if this will help (maybe partially?), but for O72 switches, if you do not include the extension piece, I'm pretty sure it matches up with an O72 curve starting from the same common end.

I noted this when I was learning FT and was frustrated at the minor geometric impurity caused by the need for the extension pieces.  I was (am) very used to O72 tubular where an O72 switch could drop in anywhere a curve was previously.

Of course, an idea I played with (not sure if you would model this both ways in CAD for flexibility) was that I found taking a (comparatively) cheap O72 curve and hacking out a small section of the roadbed let me mate it directly to the switch without the extension.  This re-gained the purity of the circle.

-Dave

PS.  As to the question on the length, I just measured an O72 switch, the length of 15-5/8" includes the extension piece.

I can send a DWG file on Monday I just need your email address.

thank you, Jon

@SHEP16, I just sent an email to the listed email on your profile.  Thank you so much for being willing to send them to me.

@Dave, thanks for the note from your personal experience.  I had a feeling that was the case with the switches, but wanted to know for sure.  Thanks for measuring a switch, so now I know how I should treat them.  I just might have to plan on modifying the switch or a curve to get the purity of a circle.  We'll have to see how things go with crossovers and such as I begin again to design.