Using Ross Track: How do I do this?

Just use gargraves flex track it pretty much looks the same as ross eh

 

Either that or cut arcs out of existing Ross precurved track sections.  Either RRTrack or SCARM can model this for you.  Using GG flex will give you more design flexibility, though (no pun intended).

 

For instance, if you cut 2 pcs of Ross O72 standard curve 11.4 degrees or 7.16 inches long for each leg of your switches, then insert a GG flex straight pc cut 34.2 inches, you'd close your siding.  This assumes your straight pc was a Ross 14.5 in straight.  Also, the switches in RRTrack 5.2 are listed as 231 and 232, not 230 and 231, but they are #6 curved.

I use this to cut track. For 10 bucks it works great.

 

On a now modest sized Gargraves flex/Ross switches layout, I used O scale rail spikes in the areas where the GG flex track was visible and made a good approximation of the Ross staples/spikes.  At the time, the GG and Ross cross-ties were a close match.

You may have to use a custom cut piece. I don't know if this can be done in Anyrail? You can do it RR-track. RR-Track will measure it for you and tell you how long it needs to be. I think SCARM may also do this, but I haven't used SCARM. 

I may be wrong, but I bet a half 072 curve would line them up close.  Then cut it to fit.  What the heck do you need a software program to figure that out?  Get the track, lay it down and make it work.  You will most likely have to cut a straight piece to fit as well.  If you are cutting a lot of track, a Dremel with a cutoff wheel you can get from Ross for cheap works the best and will last a whole layout worth of cutting.  Good luck.

Thanks all. I guess I thought I must be missing something obvious.

1/2 pc of O72 is indeed what fits - 11.4 deg squares off the end perfectly for a straight connect to the other side.

The issue you are having with completing curves using Ross track is one reason that I went with Atlas for most of my layout.  I still need to use Ross #6 curved switches in my staging tracks and to cut curves to complete the 90 degree change in direction at each end.  Why Ross couldn't use standardized it's degrees of curvature is a mystery.

 

I've read that Ross will do custom work.  I don't know what it would cost but it might be worth taking them up on it in the future.

 

Jan

 

Hi Terry,

The 096\072 curved switch is 33.6° arc for the 096 and a 22.5° arc for the turn-out. Subtracting the turn-out from the turn arc is 11.1° ~11°. This is what you need to match the arc of the 096.

 

The Ross TR## (transition)pieces are designed for this. The one that fits is a TR35. it is an 11° arc that is 14.54 " long and fits in your configuration to provide ~ 4" center rail to center rail spacing. They can also be used to curve in for tight yard track spacing or parallel a straight.

 

That is the correct location for the switch. Further away from the apex creates too tight of a rail spacing.

 

You'll have to work out the siding length and straight length to suit.

 

I hope that helps.

 

See photo attached.

 

SCARM has the complete RCS library (most others)and is free.

Carl,

 

I have several Ross #6 curved switches (O96/O72) in my plan, and I did not know that the TR sections could be used like this.  Thanks.

I used to use Anyrail, very intuitive.

I have found SCARM to be much more fun to mess with. Worth the learning curve.

Its for Windows only, and be careful not to download an ad by accident while at SCARM. (they are Google ads, not SCARMs)

The program author, mixey, posts here, answers questions, etc.. Creating programs is his hobby.

The best part is the 3d viewer!

 

  

 This is just a "sketch"(unfinished) It gets much better!

You are welcome. The TR35,40 & 45 will work with those switches depending on the length that you need. They all complete the 90° turn in this configuration.

Many thanks Carl. It seems the TR35 is not available in the Anyrail Ross track library! The TR435, TR440 and TR445 are the only transitional pieces listed. So, no wonder I was unable to complete this rather basic task. I will have to take this omission up in the Anyrail forum.

how are you with a dremel drill and cut off wheel?

Just wanted to point out that using 1/2 pcs (11.4 degrees) of O72 instead of TR35 will give you a CTC spacing of approx 4.75 inches and a longer straight section.  Your choice as to what works best.

 

RRTrack also has all the TR sections modeled.

 

Tom

Before someone else points out my stupidity, I thought it best to own up to it myself.

 

TR35, 40 and 45 ARE in the Anyrail Ross track library. Just not where I expected to see 'em!

 

This was pointed out to me when I made a fool of myself in the Anyrails forum.

Confession is good for the soul.

Thanks, Tom. That works nicely.

Not a fool. That's how you learn. They should have a little consideration. Can you make custom curves in Anyrail? Tom's 1/2 072 is a nice solution. Then you have one for the other side, if you cut carefully.

Cut Ross.......or Gargraves flex........Easy

Just build the thing.  I've built layouts using Ross.  I know it works.  Get two 072 half straights and a cutting wheel.  Ridiculous all this computer crap.  You buy your switches.  You buy the curves with a couple extra.  You buy the long straights with a couple extra,  You lay out the track, cut it to fit and make it work.  Or play with your computer and never build anything.

 

The pebble in my shoe re computerized layout design is that most users and designers habitually use simple 90 degree corners.  IMO, it's much more attractive to use larger radii at the beginnings and ends of curves, instead of the typical sharp curve resulting from putting identical curved radii sections end to end.

William, William, William, it is 2015. I understand the simplicity you espouse, but...

 

Creating easements is not really a beginner's technique. Cut the guy a little slack.

From one Carl to another Carl, I had deleted the last sentence of William1's post to "cut the guy some slack." Not being a user of computerized layout design, I'm ignorant of the difficulties of creating easements.  If I rubbed anyone the wrong way by my "pebble in the shoe" remark, I regret the phrasing of the point I was trying to make.

 

 

I have no track yet! (Actually, not strictly true as I DID get some in today's mail. Just not enough to do anything other than power up the locomotives and shuffle 'em to and fro a very short distance.)

 

So playing with Anyrail is a project in itself to keep me amused.

 

And who said easements are difficult in software? You guys have already taught me about easements and I'm doin' 'em!

 

But to my knowledge, while handling flex track is simple in Anyrail, you can't cut non-flex tracks to fit. Again, that's to my knowledge . . . which is limited! Cutting flex is easy.

You sure can cut any track. Atlas has a special set of ties to replace those that you remove and make a new connector end. Gargraves, just slide off\on the ties. I cut FasTrack when I need a special section...and so on...

 

You fake it out in the software by using Atlas or GG flex track if the manufacturer doesn't offer flex.

 

Actually, an easement is not running larger simple curve into smaller simple sectional curves. It is lateral movement of the rails from a straight to reach the beginning of a curve to gradually transition the loco and cars into the curve. It is a compound curve and not a simple curve.

 

is there an easement tool in Anyrail for flex track?  RR-Track has one. I requested that Mixy add one to SCARM. It will be in the next update.

 

The easement is the first track moving from straight to 080. The second track steps with simple curves to 080.

Here is what the easement does:

Dist     Offset
0.00      0.00
6.63      0.04
13.25    0.29
19.88    0.99
26.51    2.34
33.14    4.58

 

Distance from point o in inches and lateral movement from point o in inches.

Any custom curve within the diameter of 031 to 0120 can be successfully bent using Gargraves flex track but you must use fresh stock for best results.

If I were to build my layout over, I would use all Ross Switches and Ross track with the exception of custom curves where I would use Gargarves.  Gargraves is quality track and most of my layout uses it; but of late my sentiments lie with Ross. 

Thanks, again, Carl for the detail on what easements actually are. As is usual for me, I may have jumped too soon and bought into software perhaps less desireable than others.

I will have to play with SCARM. I don't think Anyrail has a "easement" option.

 

This forum seems to heavily favor GG/Ross over Atlas O. As posted elsewhere, I am considering switching, either selling off the small amount of Atlas I already have (no switches) or mixing it. I am sort of gravitating to an outer loop of GG/Ross wide radius stuff and an inner loop of Atlas O-72 radius. Just can not decide how much real estate to give over to really wide radius (O-138 or O-128). As usual, space is ever the issue. I have only 12.5 ft by 14.5 ft to play in and enviasge a wide shelf-type layout rather than filling the entire space.

 

I will say, the Atlas track that arrived yesterday, seems very nice! But the availability issue is a nuisance right now and, over the longer term, a bit worrisome as to what this company is doing.

I don't think the forum is heavily GG over Atlas, it's more the lack of availablityof the Atlas Track and the immediate need to build.

 

if you shop around on the forum sponsors websites, you may find what you need.

 

if you build and you want the specs for an easement, just ask on the forum. Those with RR-Track will  calculate it and give you the numbers.

 

Space allocation and usage is on you.

I would not base my track choice totally on the likes of others. It is something you will be using and you need to be the happiest with it. Your needs and wants may not be the same as someone else's. Personally, I would take in all the advice of others, there is a lot of good advice here, and then decide for myself and make my own decision.

 

From Mr Muffin's (a dealer) post the other day, it sounds like the Atlas track problems may finally be coming to an end. During all this track shortage, my LHS has gotten me all the straights and curves I needed, it was the switches that were in extremely short supply for a while.

 

Many folks here use Gargraves/Ross, but there are also a lot that use Atlas, Realtrax, Fastrack, Scaletrax, RMT and tubular (and everything I missed). There are a LOT of pictures posted here showing Atlas track on the layouts. Same goes for the others. It really is a personal choice, IMO, so get what YOU like and want to use. Just like deciding on what size curves too use, how big to make your layout and what accessories and scenery to use.

  In the 70s I helped with a large layout decision by trial use.

 A case of the "top" 3 brands. GG got chosen for ease in availability, bending & looks on the Phantom Rail. I cant remember who for sure, but the "runner up" had closer too scale ties, but was too bright brown, too "clean" looking. Back then, using "the Kings of flex" meant the crank rail bender wasn't needed any more either.

  I assume they haven't changed a winner too a loser suddenly after generations. So its "the easy choice" for me till I hear otherwise about them.

  

I thought Anyrail had a flex track. And maybe a "fill the gap" option.

  

 While lowering my head & charging like William is my norm. When I was building he last one, in Super O, O, & 0-27 all on one layout.  I found Anyrail useful to have for making a list of how much more of each track type I needed to buy.

  Then I cut some to fit 

 If you live where one person is working days, another midnights, another afternoons, It might limit your layout time, but your thinking about it may still need an outlet. 

 

   

 

John Armstrong is a revered name in model railroad layout design.  I'm not an expert, but one of his ideas is to include a "cosmetic curve"; i.e., a large radius partial curve to "show off" the train.  The radius is much too large to turn the train 90 degrees, but it creates a viewing perspective that can't be achieved with straight/tangent track.  Perhaps you can incorporate one in your layout design.

 

 

Ideally, wherever this can be incorporated, it's a desirable feature.  Of course minimal spaces don't always allow for such luxuries.  Island layouts put even more restrictions on broad curves.   When we're talking 096-072 curved turnouts then I suspect the layout is of sufficient size for at least one sweet spot.  Sorta like an easement into an easement if you will.

 

I think I know where you're coming from, Carl.  The geometric layout design, while perfectly utilitarian, is restrictive to the imagination.  It's also difficult to force realism, if that's your goal, out of 072 curves in plain view.  Whenever the opportunity for flex track is presented I go to any length, pun intended, to use it on the layout.  My next layout endeavor will have no visible pre-made curves and very little straight track.

 

Bruce