Below you can find a number of examples for how to use the XTracks sections.
Inserting a Track Node (by Steven Masters) This trick is used to insert a track node in long stretches
of single line track.
Curved 1500r & 2000r switches (by Steven Masters) Steven used my calculations to produce 1500r and 2000r
curved switches
Short 5d switches (by Steven Masters) 3-Way switches Switch (by Steven Masters): 10d modular switches Switch (by Steven Masters): Tight curved switches (by Steven Masters) 40/75 degree Xovers (by Steven Masters) Modular 3 & 6 degree switches Please note that the one-piece modular switches (a1tPnt3dB* & a1tPnt6dB*)
can be used in most cases in the following examples to reduce object count.
These are designed to allow a large number of different layouts. To understand the basic geometry I will walk you through some basic combinations starting with a simple crossover. These pieces are also available in narrow gauge versions (3 degree only). The concept of both 3 & 6 degrees are the same thus I only show how to lay the 3 degree switches. Difference is the 6 degree switches uses the 5.5 meter straight when building a crossover and the 11.3 & 22.6 crossings for slips and diamonds. Start with a a1tPnt3dLftMnl (straight path equals a1t10mStrt and curved path a1tEndPnt3d). Add an a1tEndPnt3d (note that the same endpoint is used for both left and right). Next an a1t2_6mStrt. An a1t10mStrt. Another a1t2_6mStrt (or use an a1t15_2mStrt for the three). Start turning back with an a1tEndPnt3d. Finally an a1tPnt3dLftMnl (use an a1tEndPnt3d to build a switch). Finish it off with some straights, 1 a1t50mStrt and a 1 a1t15mStrt for each
track.
Substituting the a1t10mStrt with an a1tXover12d is the first step in a diamond
crossover.
Build the other crossover using right hand switches. Finish it off with 1 a1t50mStrt and 1 a1t5mStrt for each track Part of the modular switches is also a1tXover6d to build slips and crossings. This double slip is built with that and four switches, use two a1t10mStrt to create a single slip. Both legs totals 30 meters and this slip could be incorporated in the above configurations. There's also an a1tYPnt3dMnl that fits into the system and with these pieces
it's possible to make many different layouts. In this picture the upper right
track goes to the three middle left tracks and the lower right to the two outer
left tracks. All track intersections are true crossings, parallell tracks are
correctly spaced and matched to attach with a2t-pieces without a single dynamic
track needed.
Curved switches The curved switches can be used both for crossovers and for transitions from
single to dual track.
If you want to build a transition from single to dual track you replace one of
the switches with a curve: Crossings These crossings are built for correct distance of parallell tracks and without need for any dynamic tracks. You can repeat them for as many parallell tracks as you need, included are 90, 79, 62, 45 and 26 degree crossings. The 79 degree is complemented by an a1t1mStrt track section for even parallell tracks, 62 degree by an a1t2_6mStrt, 45 degree by an a1t5mStrt and the 26 degree by an a1t10mStrt. Turntable & roundhouse Before you ask, the turntable does not and will not work! Many have tried to make it work and all have failed. I believe an update of MSTS is necessary before a working turntable is possible. Roundhouse is designed to to be used either with the turntable or the 5 degree Y-switch. Tunnel switches I've included a number of 10 degree tunnel switches. A1tPnt10dLftMnlTun/a1tPnt10dRgtMnlTun can be used to form sidings and split the line to two track. A2tPnt10dLftMnlTun/a2tPnt10dRgtMnl are used for tunnel crossovers. A1tYPnt10dMnlTun can be used to split the line into separate tunnels but also enables a few interesting possibillities. One possibillity is to make a wye (or triangle spur) using three switches and four same kind endpoints for each side. The other possibillity is to make a return loop inside a tunnel.
This loop is made of the following pieces going clockwise from the
a1tYPnt10dMnlTun: Both these layouts are of course possible with non-tunnel pieces also and in
narrow gauge
Single & double slips The slips from version 1 work with special endpieces that needs to be inserted in the correct location. Instead of these I would recommend the use of the modular 3 degree switches, they are easier to use and work better. Single slip looks like this. And double slip like this. Animated bridges Spring 2002 Rick Lamp made three
bridges with animation. The bridges are a bascule bridge, a lift bridge and a
swing bridge. They work as level crossings and are added to the route .ref
file.
Rick mentions to add them to the .ref file but he does not list the entries. |