Model Train Track Planning & Components
Essentially, there are two types of model train track that you can design: simple or complicated. Which one you choose depends on personal preference. Figuring out which track products you require always depends on the overall design of the track, as does how many of each product you will need. I advise that you plan your track layout thoroughly before you start building anything. Most importantly, make sure you have enough space to create the design you are dreaming of. The last thing you want is to start building and then find out later on that you are going to run out of space.
Your first step should be to draw your track design on a piece of paper. Planning your design is a good idea because you can even build your design in functional phases with each additional phase making your layout larger and more interesting.
It is easy to decide on the length of the track you require after drawing your layout. You can even draw your layout directly on your workbench, which will make calculating track length and construction even easier. Depending your design, you might require the use of half track sections or odd track lengths. If necessary, you can create custom track by cutting track sections using a hacksaw and a vice.
There are two basic track sections that you will need: straight and radius. The radius tracks are offered in different radii so you have to choose which radius would be best for your specific design layout.
It is not common that all the dimensions of the curved tracks are declared in terms of radius. 0 scale products use terms such as 027 or 036 on the tracks and locomotives. The numbers after the 0 are the diameter of the curve in inches. The track dimensions are declared in radius for HO scale of the trains. The 24 inch radius Atlas HO True-Track requires 16 sections of 24 inch radius track to complete a full circle, 48 inches in diameter. On the other hand, the 18 inch radius Atlas HO True-Track requires 12 sections to complete the full 36 inch diameter circle. The different labeling systems will take a little bit to get used to, but you will be fluent in them before you know it.
As well as curved and straight tracks there are other track components such as, crossings, turnouts and flex tracks. The parameters of each component varies between manufacturers.
Before you buy products make sure that they are compatible with each other. Although all of the locomotive sizes have been standardized into scales, manufacturers still design certain components according to their own specifications.
Flex Tracks are directly attached to the roadbed and, as the names implies, they are flexible. Using Flex Tracks you can make turns of any radius and design gorgeous and interesting railroad routes. However, a gorgeous design is no good if your train is not able to maneuver through it, so make sure the corners are not too tight. For example, O scale train sets take much wider turns than N gauge trains do.
The Atlas Super flex is a Flex Track brand that bends easily to form any shape you need. This product comes in 3-foot sections, but can easily be custom cut to any length using a hacksaw or a modeler’s super-saw.
Crossings are the junctions through which two tracks heading in different directions cross each other. The crossings come in different degrees of intersection, which are defined by the specific brand of track the crossing is designed for.
Turnouts allow the entering trains to decide which route to take, choosing from two or three different directions. Turnouts are also known as switches. A closed switch will tell the train to stay on the current track and if the switch is open or “thrown”, then the train chooses an alternate path.
After reading this article I’m sure you understand that it is not a good idea to start building a model train track without any prior planning. Planning your layout will ensure that the design you want is functional and fits into the space you have available. You will be happy you spent the time making a plan before you started constructing your model train track. There is an old saying, “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail” and these really does apply to building model railroads too.
