Need Help with Scarm Design

@jim262 posted:

I am having trouble in fitting the 90 degree crossover in my layout design.  I am using Atlas 3 rail track on a 10x8 layout.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'm working on a solution for you. From what I can tell, the problem arises when trying to use an O-54 switch that transitions to an O-45 curved.

- Jason

I swapped out the switches with O-45s and used a 60 degree cross-over, But it works. Hope this helps (see attached)

- Jason

Thank you, Jason for your help and ideas.  I was hoping to use the 054 switches since I have them on hand and don't want to go the extra expense for the 045's.   I enjoyed watching your YouTube videos and thank you for them.   I will continue to explore ways to use my current supply of tracks and keep my eyes out for a good deal on 045 Atlas switches.  Thanks again for your time.

Can't be done with a 90°. Here are 2 options, both with a 60°. The 1st has 2 disconnects that should connect when assembled. The 2nd requires 2 cuts; 1 on top and the other on bottom. It allows O-45 trains to nav all trans and O-54 trains to nav both ovals, but not the Figure-8.....if you ever purchase more switches. The Figure-8 can be modified to use O-45 switches, but will need 2 more cut tracks. HTH

I like the second one, but will wait for another time.  The first one matches my needs and I will begin on that.  Thanks for your help in solving my problem, can't wait to get it done.   

I kept the 90 deg crossover if you have already purchased it.  The O54 switches were replaced wit O45s.

The minimum center-to-center track spacing is 6 inches.  The gap is 1/8" can can be closed by squeezing the track together.  Anytime you run diagonal tracks you will create these tiny gaps.

Jan

Thank you, Jan.   I already have four 054 switches on hand so I would like to use them instead of buying 045's .  It's really great that I can come to this place and get so much help and great ideas.  Thanks again to all/

Since you already have the O54 switches, you can used them to create crossovers between the inner and outer loops as Dave shows.  Keep this in mind for the future.

Jan

Has anyone considered using short sections of Atlas flex track? Atlas flex bends pretty easily and one long piece will not break the budget.

BTW I often cannot get my track to line up perfectly in SCARM so I use cut pieces and flex. Of course if I was using Fast Track or similar that would not work so well. 

One of the reasons a lot of folks use GarGraves is their flex track. If there’s room, folks like to add flowing curves to long straights. I try to get as close as possible to sectional track in SCARM unless folks are using Atlas, GarGraves or ScaleTrax. If I simply can’t make a connection, I use flex or cut tracks, but note that in my description. One needs to be careful using flex in SCARM because there’s a tendency to bend it too tight. I always overlay my minimum sectional curve as a test to make sure that doesn’t happen. Most comments I’ve read about flex say Atlas is the most difficult, though that probably depends on how tight one is trying to bend it. My experience says ScaleTrax is the easiest when it comes to tighter bends.

One area where AnyRail beats SCARM from a display point of view is it’s ability to “smooth” flex track. They both tend to lay flex by adding a straight section at the beginning and ending with a curve. AnyRail then let’s you smooth the whole piece into a full natural curve. So instead of ending up with a straight and O-33 curve, you end up with a more natural O-43 curve to fill the space. Now, to be fair to SCARM, it’s not a big deal because most modelers would add the more natural curve during the build.