Problem joining loops in SCARM

Change to AtlasO 3r track and fill the gap with a piece of flex track.

On our Fastrak club layout we ran into this a lot. The problem is that you were placing track till you found the last gap.  The answer is that you have to replace several of the other straights with more combinations till you get to the required size. I believe that with some combination you will get to within 1/8 inch or better. 

Such is the geometry of Fastrak

ChessieFan: I don't particularly care for the Atlas track, so it's not an option

 

Sway: I did play with the gap by placing a 4 1/2 and 1 3/8 it reduces the gap to 1/8. But would the tracks be able to be joined with only a 1/8 gap?

hey T,

Here you are...increase the length by adding 5" or 10" to come up with one that works.

 

I liked 10" + 6" =16". You can also make a custom piece by cutting a 10" to a 6".

 

Here's the fit with standard pieces. You have a lot of space left to work with. SCARM file attached.

Here is the handy dandy FasTrack Lengths pdf and the LCCA FasTrack Modular Specifications with the cutting method in the appendix.

Moonman thanks for the info and solving my dilemma. I have also designed a second layout, in case there was no solution to first one. Now I'd like opinions on which is the better option. This second layout is basically an extended clover leaf with a track yard. So I'd love to hear everyone's input on these 2 designs.

try this.

Carl thanks for adding the Wye. It really looks good. Just wondering what is the space between the two yard tracks. Is it enough to fit a station platform?

But, it really needed two to reverse in either direction. No purpose for the space in the East, don't know what to do with it. perhaps just extend the oval to the edge. Put some spurs inside the oval in the West.

 

How you finish the track plan depends on want you want the trains to do.

Yes.

 

And, the larger the loops, the more wiggle room you have. You can also adjust that tolerance in SCARM.

My reply concerning AtlasO track was not for you to change your track, but to help you fill the gaps in SCARM as your title requested.

That's how you would represent the custom cut 6" straight to fill the gap in your original design.

 

Select TOOLS on the menu>select TOOLBOX> then use the drop-down context menu to select Flex Track Tool.

 

With a point selected on a track adjacent to the 6" gap, select Atlas-O, 3-rail from the library, select the 40"flex wood piece. Enter 6 next to the straight button, push the button, then select Fix. You now have a 6" piece of track that fills the gap. It will show as Atlas-O in the inventory, but you know it will be a custom cut 10" straight.