How do you make custom track parts in SCARM and/or Anyrail

You can overlay a 10" straight with an O31 curve without joining them. Just orient the curve and then move it over the straight until the arrows are both gray, then they won't automatically join. Then you can "snip" the curve to length by trial and error until you get something close to what you want. O31 on the left, 10" straight with snipped O31 curve on the right. Not sure it this is what you're looking for.

RWL posted:

I am planning to switch over to Ross switches and track, and need to make some custom parts. I have my layout designed in SCARM software, and have used fastrack O-31 switches witch have a 10" straight, and a 33.75 degree turnout, which can be made into 45 degree with the, included, 11.25 degree curve that comes with the switch. When cutting the Ross O-32 switch, I can get really close to the 10" straight, which will not be an issue, but the turn out will be more like 7.5 degrees if I leave the last tie on the curve in place. Now I would like to be able to model the actual size of this switch, and am curious if there is a way to do this in the SCARM, or even AnyRail software. Thanks for any and all comments, Roger

The turn-out arc angle is measured like a full curve beginning at the straight of the switch traveling with the points. Are you saying you will need 7.5° more than the FasTrack? (41.25°)

Use SCARM.

Use the specifications of the Ross O31 curve. R=15.50/ Arc angle 45. Then use the flex track tool in SCARM and a piece of Atlas flex track. Insert the R 15.5, the arc angle that you want, hit the curve button, then the fix button.

Now you have a piece of track to use as a template to overlay on the switch and snip off the turnout. You can also measure the chord of the template and measure to that point on the switch turnout center rail and snip it there.

Post your file and I'll fix it and create the pieces you need. Or you can email it to me. I use SCARM.

I find this calculator useful: Circle Arc Equations  However, when you actually build you have some forgiveness. So, I like to create the track as close as possible and leave the error forgiveness to make up for measurement and cut variances when actually building.

Moonman posted:

RWL posted:

I am planning to switch over to Ross switches and track, and need to make some custom parts. I have my layout designed in SCARM software, and have used fastrack O-31 switches witch have a 10" straight, and a 33.75 degree turnout, which can be made into 45 degree with the, included, 11.25 degree curve that comes with the switch. When cutting the Ross O-32 switch, I can get really close to the 10" straight, which will not be an issue, but the turn out will be more like 7.5 degrees if I leave the last tie on the curve in place. Now I would like to be able to model the actual size of this switch, and am curious if there is a way to do this in the SCARM, or even AnyRail software. Thanks for any and all comments, Roger

The turn-out arc angle is measured like a full curve beginning at the straight of the switch traveling with the points. Are you saying you will need 7.5° more than the FasTrack? (41.25°)

Use SCARM.

Use the specifications of the Ross O31 curve. R=15.50/ Arc angle 45. Then use the flex track tool in SCARM and a piece of Atlas flex track. Insert the R 15.5, the arc angle that you want, hit the curve button, then the fix button.

Now you have a piece of track to use as a template to overlay on the switch and snip off the turnout. You can also measure the chord of the template and measure to that point on the switch turnout center rail and snip it there.

Post your file and I'll fix it and create the pieces you need. Or you can email it to me. I use SCARM.

I find this calculator useful: Circle Arc Equations  However, when you actually build you have some forgiveness. So, I like to create the track as close as possible and leave the error forgiveness to make up for measurement and cut variances when actually building.

Thanks for telling me about the flex tool. I had not gotten into using the tool box, as it meant nothing when I went in, but when I clicked on the down arrow I found the flex tool, and the items that you noted above.

What I need to make is an 0-31 switch with a given straight, and a 35.75 degree turnout.

I can now design this curve with the Flex Tool, but when I lay if over the switch, the connection arrow covers the portion of the switch where I need to select for snipping.

The real problem, here, is that I can not snip switches, only curves and straights. That is also all that is mentioned in any of the snipping tutorials that I have found. I don't think switches can be snipped, but If you know of a way, I am all ears for sure.

Thanks again,

Roger

RWL posted:

I have figured out how to snip straights and curves, but how do you snip a switch?

 SCARM doesn't allow snipping a switch, but what these guys are trying to tell you is: create straight and curve pieces equal to the corresponding legs of the switch, snip those and then overlap them into your switch space. 

Ace posted:

RWL posted:

I have figured out how to snip straights and curves, but how do you snip a switch?

 SCARM doesn't allow snipping a switch, but what these guys are trying to tell you is: create straight and curve pieces equal to the corresponding legs of the switch, snip those and then overlap them into your switch space. 

Thanks Ace,

Just so I understand, that would leave unconnected sections, that are simply lying in the correct space, yes?

Just curious: Is there a way to fix these sections in space?

Yes it does, but no matter. It all worked out great, and I now can see just exactly how the cut down switches and track will fit into my layout.

Thanks for all the help,

Roger

Ace posted:

RWL posted:

I have figured out how to snip straights and curves, but how do you snip a switch?

 SCARM doesn't allow snipping a switch, but what these guys are trying to tell you is: create straight and curve pieces equal to the corresponding legs of the switch, snip those and then overlap them into your switch space. 

Now that I have all the track pieces in place, how do I read out the actual degrees of the custom curves? When I click on them, there is no angle given. Do you just have to keep track of what angle you made them?

Thanks again,

RWL posted:

Ace posted:

RWL posted:

I have figured out how to snip straights and curves, but how do you snip a switch?

 SCARM doesn't allow snipping a switch, but what these guys are trying to tell you is: create straight and curve pieces equal to the corresponding legs of the switch, snip those and then overlap them into your switch space. 

Now that I have all the track pieces in place, how do I read out the actual degrees of the custom curves? When I click on them, there is no angle given. Do you just have to keep track of what angle you made them?

Thanks again,

OK, in the SCARM software, I figured out how to get the number of degrees for the ark-angle for custom curved parts, if I don't have them documented.

I had already calculated that based on 5/16" thick ties, and 5/16" space between ties at the center rail, that the center to center distance between the ties would be 5/8". I have this on good authority from Steve, himself, at RCS.

For O-31 curves, and switches, this then calculates out to .2705" per degree.

SCARM gives the length of the curved section, so I can simply divide this length by .2705 to get the number of degrees for the angle, and it does come out correctly, as I have tested it out.

Thanks again for the help with the flex vs special switch creation.

Roger