| When you are designing the layout of your model | | | | are required in order to complete a full 48 inch |
| railroad tracks there are two ways you can go, either | | | | diameter. For the 18 inch radius, 12 sections required to |
| simple or complicated. Figuring out how much track | | | | complete a circle of 36 inch diameter. |
| you need to buy and the type of track you require | | | | In addition to the curved and straight tracks, there are |
| always depends on the overall design of the track. | | | | crossings, turnouts and flex tracks which vary from |
| Keep in mind, when creating the design, that you need | | | | one manufacturer to the next. |
| enough room to lay the tracks. First, find out how much | | | | You should understand that not all brands of integrated |
| space you have to work with and then create your | | | | roadbed track would be well matched with other |
| dream layout within that space. | | | | brands. These products also depend on the type of |
| The first step is to put your track design down on a | | | | integrated roadbed you would be using as a base. If |
| piece of paper before assembling anything. If you have | | | | you are not experienced with roadbeds then you |
| the benchwork created you can even draw the layout | | | | should seek guidance from someone who is. |
| of your tracks right on the plywood to make things | | | | Flex tracks are directly attached to the roadbed and |
| even easier for you. Planning your design completely | | | | as the names suggests, you can bend the track so |
| before starting is a good idea. This way, if finances are | | | | that it creates any radius you need. You have to be |
| issue, you can build your layout in parts and keep | | | | careful though, if the curve is too tight then your train |
| expanding whenever you can invest more. | | | | will not be able to negotiate the turn. The Atlas Super |
| After your layout is planned it is easy to figure out the | | | | flex bends easily to form any shape and comes in 3 |
| length of the track you require and you will know if you | | | | foot sections. You can also custom cut these sections |
| need half-track sections or odd track lengths. Creating | | | | to any required size by using a hacksaw. |
| custom track sizes is easy. All you need to do is use a | | | | Crossings are the junctions through which two tracks |
| hacksaw to cut the tracks to the desired length. | | | | heading in opposite directions cross each other. They |
| For corners, you will need radius track sections, which | | | | vary on the basis of brands and sell in different |
| are available in different radii to create tight corners, | | | | degrees. |
| long easy corners, and everything in between. Straight | | | | Turnouts allow the entering trains to decide which |
| tracks will also be needed and those are also available | | | | route to take. These are also known as switches. A |
| in different lengths. This allows you to pick the track | | | | closed switch allows the train to stay on the current |
| pieces that will help in creating your specific layout | | | | track, but if the switch is "thrown", then the train |
| most easily. | | | | chooses an alternate path. |
| It is not always the case that dimensions of curved | | | | It is never recommend that you put together a model |
| tracks are declared in the terms of radius. There is a | | | | train track without any prior planning. Plan your layout |
| labeling system that uses terms such as, 027 or 036 | | | | thoroughly to make sure that you know exactly which |
| on the tracks and locomotives. The numbers placed | | | | parts you will need and where they will go. You will |
| after the 0 is the diameter of the curve in inches. In a | | | | thank yourself later. |
| 24 inch radius of an Atlas HO True-Track, 16 sections | | | | |