Turnout Designer

The Turnout Designer uses a number of different dialogs (one for each type of turnout or sectional track).

This dialog is for a Regular turnout.

• Length - measured from the base of the turnout to the centerline at the end of the turnout. Length is measured parallel to the centerline of the straight leg of the turnout. For track that ends on a curve (such as the curved leg of a regular turnout) measure the distance from the base to each rail and average the values.
• Offset - measured from the centerline of the straight leg of the turnout to the centerline of the track at the end of the turnout.
• Angle - angle at the end of turnout to the centerline of the straight leg of the turnout. This angle may not be the same as the Frog angle of the turnout if the rails curve past the Frog. The Frog Number|Degrees Radio button group controls whether the value is expressed in Frog Number or Degrees.
• Manufacturer - name of the Manufacturer
• Description - description of the turnout including size and rail code number (eg. 'Left Hand #4')
• # - part number (eg. '999-123').
• Roadbed Width - if greater than the track gauge then lines are drawn along the edges of the Turnout to represent the attached Roadbed available on some types of Sectional Track and Turnouts.
• Line Width - the width of the Roadbed lines, measured in pixels when the layout Drawing Scale is 1:1.
• Color - color of the Roadbed lines.

The Rail height (Code) can be added to the Manufacturer (eg. Peco-55) or the Description (eg. Medium Right, Code 55).

The Scale is the current scale from the Scale Drop Down List on the Layout dialog.

Manufacturer, Description and Part Number (#) comprise the Title of the turnout. These values are used in the Turnout Selection dialog and the parts list. For regular and curved turnouts there are Descriptions and Part Numbers for the Right and Left hand turnouts.

The Print button prints a full size diagram of the turnout. You can use this to check your dimensions and make any required changes. You should expect to make several printouts as you refine your dimensions.

The Ok button completes the design. The new turnout is added to the list in the Turnout Selection dialog. The turnout data is saved in the xtrkcad.cus file for the next time you use XTrkCad. Please consider contributing this information for others to use. You can change the Parameters or Title of existing designs by using the Custom Management dialog.

The Cancel button removes the Turnout Designer dialog.

It is best to start by marking the End-Points of the turnout on a piece of paper. Extend the curved leg of the turnout (try attaching a straight sectional track) and measure the angle. Frog numbers are easiest to calculate.

Enter your data and press Print, if you have an accurate printer. Check the dimensions of the turnout against the printout and make adjustments as necessary. Concentrate on the lengths and offsets first, then adjust the angles.

The resulting turnout is an approximation. In particular the curves will not be correct, but this is not important for placing turnouts.

You can use the Group command to add cosmetic details to the Turnout definitions.

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