Problem with Railmodeller Pro

Hey Rick,

  I have RMP.  Let me try what you're desiging and see what I get.

I have noticed that RMP has errors in several of their libraries regarding track size.

I'll report back in a bit.

Thanks David. It's just a simple figure 8. Every track should connect perfectly.

Okay, I got the same results you did.

I have never used Ross track, so I don't know their true dimensions to know if their switches and curves match exactly to Lionel tubular O.

I built a quick figure 8 using the RMP Lionel O library and it worked as you think it should.   90-degree cross, O-31 switches, 10" straights.

I found the issue!!!!

The Ross 90 degree crossing has longer legs than the Lionel.   I don't know iof this is a RMP error or the Ross really is larger.  It's just enough off to throw off the perfect figure 8.

Thanks David. It must be the library then. I have nothing but Ross track so I'll try a simple figure 8 when I get my benchwork and table built. If everything connects correctly then I'll know for sure that the RMP Ross library is the culprit.

Rick

Cool!   FYI, the Lionel crossing is approximately 8-5/16" end to end.

If you already have the Ross, measure it, then we'll know

That will have to wait until I can unpack. I've just moved and all my trains are packed up. After I get my benchwork and table then I'll start unpacking and can measure the track then.

Thanks again,

Rick

Rick, I found our problem!

We're thinking with our old knowledge of good old Lionel tubular track in regards to diameters, etc...

Ross track measure center rail to center rail, while Lionel measure outside tie to outside tie.

This is why the figure 8 doesn't work.  The Ross track 31" curve take up more space than  the Lionel.

I have attached a screen shot of RM Pro.  On the left is a half circle of Ross O-31, on the right is Lionel O-31.

Using the measuring tool, the Lionel comes out to overall outside diameter of 31".

The Ross circle measures about 33.15 " outside diameter, and comes in right at 31" center rail to center rail.   You can visualize this as I tried to line up the outside of the Lionel with the center of the Ross.

I learned something new today

Based on this and what I discovered about Ross track diameters, Rail Modeller Pro is correct in this case.

here's how it works- all of the O31 is weird

There's enough wiggle to connect with a 3" inserted in the center of circle and one each straight

very cool. thanks Carl!

I had a feeling those small fitter pieces would come into play, just like how I use all the 1-3/4 " Fastrack pieces.

Much thanks to you David and to you Carl for finding a solution. Railmodeller Pro should have adjusted for the difference in measurements. Having to use six 3" so the figure 8 will connect in the drawing is like using shims to make carpentry work out evenly. Hopefully, when I actually lay down track this won't be the case.

Again, thanks very much guys.

Regards,

Rick

No, you need the "shims". The ross 90 crossing is 11" long. It won't fit in a circle of any curves naturally. Lionel designed the O and O27 to work with 1 straight for starter sets and small layouts. Ross isn't designed on the same geometry.

The software only uses what the manufacturers make. Not a Railmodeller issue.

While this is an RMP thread, I tried doing the figure 8 in my RR-Track program.  First off, I buy only GG 37 1/4" flex track, and cut them down to the length I need.  I don't use sectional straight track.

You need four 2/3" pieces of straight track to make it work.  While 2/3" is getting pretty short, it can be done. Put one on each end of the crossover.

Thanks guys. Guess I'll just have to get used to it. Unfortunately, I can't find any way in RMP to cut tracks to different lengths. 20 years ago I built my first layout using Ross track and a different software package. I don't remember what it was but everything fit perfectly.

Me and my Dremel tool will just deal with the problems. :-)

Rick