No idea about a vendor.  But SCARM and RR-Track both allow you to print out a plan in 1:1 actual size.  

I'm pretty sure all of the original tubular track pieces would fit on an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet.  So  theoretically you could make your own patterns by using one of these software programs and printing your one-track "layouts" on cardstock in a home ink jet printer.

If you really need a larger sheet you might have to send the image files to a commercial printing service like Kinkos, Ridgeway, Office Depot or even some FedEx stores offer this service.  Good luck!

I think Ross Custom Switches offered something like that a few years back for there track and switches.  Don't know if they still do, but contact Steve at 1-800-331-1395.

@NYC 428 posted:

I think Ross Custom Switches offered something like that a few years back for there track and switches.  Don't know if they still do, but contact Steve at 1-800-331-1395.

They still do, it's under the technical tab on their website.

Ted S.

Thanks for that tip.  I don't own SCARM or RR TRACK software, but I applied your suggestion to ANYRAIL software. I got it to show a 1:1 size image on screen of the Lionel track curves I need for my project:  O31, O42, and O54.  I haven't yet figured out how to PRINT the image via my PC Printer. ANYRAIL has a built-in option to save an image as a JPG file -- which is what I need, but I haven't figured that out yet.

Since I'm working with Lionel tubular track, the suggestions of other hobbyists for other track manufacturers aren't applicable to my project.

Mike Mottler     LCCA 12394
mottlermike10@gmail.com

Mike- why not try this :  put pieces of Lionel track on the glass sheet of a printer, print on heavy paper,  and cut out with scissors? Make your own paper templates this way. JohnA 

Note to All Responders - about "Paper Patterns"

By trial and error I figured out how to PRINT 1:1 images of Lionel tubular track with ANYRAIL, and that print job facilitated my pending project. Which proves the OGR FORUM is often a more timely and helpful info resource than a vendor's website.

With appreciation,

Mike Mottler    LCCA 12394
mottlermike10@gmail.com

@Mike H Mottler posted:

Note to All Responders - about "Paper Patterns"

By trial and error I figured out how to PRINT 1:1 images of Lionel tubular track with ANYRAIL, and that print job facilitated my pending project. Which proves the OGR FORUM is often a more timely and helpful info resource than a vendor's website.

With appreciation,

Mike Mottler    LCCA 12394
mottlermike10@gmail.com

Was the O54 really close to the size of the paper?  I was curious if that would fit, I knew an O72 would not (but you did not state you were using O72, so no problem there ).

-Dave

John A, that’s a great suggestion. Technology is great but sometimes simpler is less frustrating.

Dave:

I used ANYRAIL software to create 1:1 images of Lionel tubular track as O31, O42, O54, and O72; these are perfect size  renderings of the O-gauge track pieces!  All but the O72 image would fit on a 8.5x11 sheet in landscape format.

Then I learned the "secret" of printing the images on paper through my PC. The images will be useful for my project.

Mike Mottler     LCCA 12394
mottlermike10@gmail.com

@Mike H Mottler posted:

Then I learned the "secret" of printing the images on paper through my PC. The images will be useful for my project.

 

Mike, I didn't know that was a secret, I just use the icon.

GRJ
Thanks for that tip about printing a 1:1 image with ANYRAIL.  I got it done!

Mike Mottler    LCCA 123494fi
mottlermike10@gmail.com

I believe at one time Lionel offered a track planning kit using miniature scale track rubber stamps . 

The company was called Moon Dog Express. They made the patterns mentioned above plus extra O gauge ties and printed road material also. They were great products but I am pretty sure they went out of business. I have not heard anything out of them in many years.

tncentrr:

Thanks for that info - now I remember that company - although it's now too late to act on it. Meanwhile, with other helpful tips from hobbyists, I printed out paper copies of ANYRAIL images at 1:1. So my project is a GO. 

With thanks to all responders ...

Mike Mottler    LCCA 12394
mottlermike10@gmail.com

@CSXJOE posted:

I believe at one time Lionel offered a track planning kit using miniature scale track rubber stamps . 

I couldn't find a picture on-line, but the item I am familiar with that sounds like this was not for doing full size layouts.

There were a bunch of these stamps in a small blue blue and white box (was maybe white track images on a blue background).  This box was only a little larger than a  deck of playing cards.

I think it had standard PW sizes for curves, crossings, straights, and O22 switches to match the O31 curves.  Not sure if it had O72 track and switches or not (but I suspect maybe not).

These stamps were probably the size of the last segment of your finger, not too large at all. (I'm not going to guess at a fraction of 1:1 full size without having them in front of me )

-Dave

There is one on the E auction site under this heading-

ORIGINAL 1952 LIONEL MODEL RAILROAD TRACK PRINTING KIT UNUSED!

@CSXJOE posted:

There is one on the E auction site under this heading-

ORIGINAL 1952 LIONEL MODEL RAILROAD TRACK PRINTING KIT UNUSED!

Yep.  That's it!

My memory was slightly off, but pretty close, I guess. 

-Dave

STAMPS that can imprint track sections -- low technology to the rescue!  Layout designers of a previous era weren't without tools for the hobby!

Mike Mottler    LCCA 12394
mottlermike10@gmail.com  

I have the Moon Dog Express track patterns. They worked well. I think they are still in the basement somewhere.

Jim D

There was a company named CTT Inc. out of Dallas that made a track planning stencil.  Here's a pic of mine.

I have that thing too, another good product you can't get anymore.