MTH Realtrax and RRtrack

While I haven't used these tracks, I have encountered the same issue when building layouts, and the solution has been to cut track sections to the appropriate length.  I use a moto-tool with a fiber-reinforced wheel to cut the track.

RJR I agree if it is with tubular track.  Can't see how that can be done with Realtracks or Fastracks.

Robert

Haven't cut Realtrax, but Fastrack is easy to cut and splice to fill any gap.

Robert - I hope this helps, as a start. In case you can't open the rrt file, the turnouts are O54. The horizontal shorts are 3.5. the inner loop vertical is 3.5. The outer is 4.25. 

RJG posted:

I am trying to create a layout using RRTracks and MTH Realtrax.  I am using O54 for outside curves and O42 for inside.  I believe my problem is not  knowing what switches to use.  I want to make 2 crossovers.  When I do,  the 2 loops do not match up,  there is always a gap and no appropriate  piece of track to fill the gap.  Is this common?  I also tried to use Lionel Fastrack instead and also MTH Realtrax with adapters and Lionel tubular track.

 

Thanks,

Robert

You don't need to have the crossover turnouts match the inner loop curve diameter since you are using the through portion.

However, you can move the crossover to the curve on the end and use the inner loop diameter for the turnout size of the switch.

There is a bit of a misalignment that may not work. Try it, build it on the floor.

MARTYR.

I am usung RRtrax.  I have included a pix of what I am trying to do.  Still have the gaps that I can't seem to close.  I hope you can open this.

Robert

Here ya go. My track additions are in color.  All lined up. Check your bottom right section. There are a few O42 sections that are outer curves on the inner loop. If that's intentional, it isn't incorrect. It's just on the rest of the layout, you took the time to make outer curves, 54 and inners 42. With such a large layout, I'd really consider adding a few O72 sections and eliminating all the O42. It will open up your roster to larger locomotives. the downside is, you would lose some of the straightaway at the bottom. I attached it. Wouldn't take much to switch to O72 turnouts. 

Here is a handy size chart for RealTrax

MARTYR, 

I am not able to open your 2 attachments.

MOONMAN,   Thanks, I also have the same chart and it hasn't been any help for me.

It is a big help when fitting the straights. Anyway, some design basics - one needs to look at the difference in diameters of the curves, the arc of the sections, and what center rail to center rail spacing pairs of switches for a crossover create. Knowing this and setting some parameters makes layout fitment easier.

That being said, MTH RealTrax is not the easiest work with.

I have created a layout for you that would fit in a 9' x 20' that looks like your plan. It needs a little more refinement, but it is all connected for two concentric runs.

Let me know what you think about the layout plan.

It works best if you right-click the attachment and save target as to a file on your computer. 

Modified it to make room for a station and smooth out the inner loop. You can pull the 10" from both sides and drop it down again if you wish.

MOONMAN, looks great.  Thanks.

Now, in between the switches on the inner loop can perhaps be reconfigured using the track combination chart to reduce the track number count. I just found a combination that worked and left it at that.

I liked the suggestion to keep the outer O54 and started with that. 

What threw off your attempts was mixing the O54 and O42 at the bottom. That normally works ok for concentric lines, but, not with RealTrax because of the geometry.

Does it need any changes for overall fit for the table size or are there any changes that you need?

They are from 5.0, but it looks like you and Carl have this down.