I have about a dozen of the old atlas/peco 2 rail turnouts along with some sectional and flex track. All turnouts are a tight radius, suitable for industrial trackage only. I cant seem to locate these in any of the track planning software libraries out there. Any suggestions?
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Although I know exactly what you are talking about, they are probably too uncommon for any software vendor to add them to a track list at this point in time. My suggestion would be to take one to a local hobby shop and try to match them up with an existing manufactured fixed-radius switch (Lionel, Ross, Gargraves, etc.). Then use the closest match in your planning software of choice.
By the way, you didn't mention what software you were using. There are several you can use for free to design smaller layouts, including SCARM, Anyrail and XtrakCAD (that last one has NO piece limit).
Chuck
Just set all the curves together to form a circle, or enough to trace out and determine the radius, then as Chuck said, match up to existing radius switches in the software library.
@PRR1950 posted:Although I know exactly what you are talking about, they are probably too uncommon for any software vendor to add them to a track list at this point in time. My suggestion would be to take one to a local hobby shop and try to match them up with an existing manufactured fixed-radius switch (Lionel, Ross, Gargraves, etc.). Then use the closest match in your planning software of choice.
By the way, you didn't mention what software you were using. There are several you can use for free to design smaller layouts, including SCARM, Anyrail and XtrakCAD (that last one has NO piece limit).
Chuck
Chuck, tried both SCARM and any rail. Even tried the atlas freeware program. Agree these are uncommon as they are 24 inch radius turnouts. I guess the closest match might be either ross or gg 042 at least for planning purposes.
If they're a true 24" radius, then Lionel Fastrack 048 (48" diameter) might be a decent match. Keep in mind that manufacturers define radius/diameter differently (i.e. center rail to center rail vs outer to outer rail)
@Mike0289 posted:If they're a true 24" radius, then Lionel Fastrack 048 (48" diameter) might be a decent match. Keep in mind that manufacturers define radius/diameter differently (i.e. center rail to center rail vs outer to outer rail)
What im looking for is a way to plan out a small switching layout for a SW switcher and 40ft or less cars. If i use these ar least i get a rough idea of what fits.
@necrails posted:What im looking for is a way to plan out a small switching layout for a SW switcher and 40ft or less cars. If i use these ar least i get a rough idea of what fits.
Are you asking about finding a switch you can use as a substitute for your 24" radius Atlas/Peco switches in track planning SW or if a SW switcher and 40ft cars will run on 24" radius curves/switches?
If it's the former - pretty much all the track planning SW out there has a Fastrack library. You can inspect dimensions of the Fastrack 048 switches in the SW and see how closely they align with your Atlas/Peco switches to see if you could use the Fastrack 048 switches as substitutes in your plan.
If it's the latter - you'll need help from folks more familiar with O scale 2 rail than I am
I wish I had mentioned the FasTrack O48 switches as a possible substitute for planning purposes. They should be reasonably close to the much older Atlas/Peco 24" radius switches, at least on the curve side of the switch. In your planning, set the switches first and then just connect them with Gargraves flex-track. When actually building, use whatever track you have available to connect the switches that are now in their "planned" position.
Let us know how it goes.
Chuck
So i havent be sufficiently clear. The peco/atlas turnouts are 2 rail. I own a single atlas sw 2 rail switcher and a dizen or so weaver cars, all 2 rail, all 40 scale feet or less. What i am trying to do is mock up on the computer a shelf layout where some but not all of these turnouts can be used. My first built out layout has not been satisfactory so i would like to build out something simple and use it for operation and to hone be scenery skills.
Still sounds like you're looking for a way to represent your Atlas/Peco switches in track planning SW. Based on the info you've given about the switches, I think Fastrack 048 switches are probably still your best bet. Just use those and whatever 2-rail track you like - the SW should allow you to connect them together to design your layout
I'm with Tom now; are you asking for someone to design a 2-rail shelf layout for you? If so, you would have to provide room dimensions, proposed shelf dimensions, number and curvature (left or right) of available switches, industries you want to model, and any other characteristics you'd like us to know.
On the other hand, most of us thought you were just looking for some practical advice on using track planning software while utilizing an unusual brand / size of switches.
Chuck
All i was asking was if anyone knew of a track planning software package that included the older atlas 2 rail turnouts. Nothing more. How this morphed into wanting someone to do a design for me is a mystery. I wanted to be able track geometry on the computer screen to see if what i had in mind would work. My solution is to make paper templates of the turnouts and plan on the floor as long as my knees hold out.
XtrackCAD has an Atlas library that is 2 rail and includes the 24 inch switches.
@Darrell posted:XtrackCAD has an Atlas library that is 2 rail and includes the 24 inch switches.
Darrell, thanks, i was not aware of that program. After you posted your reply it was mentioned in two other places i visit. I will certainty give it a try.
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