DoubleDAZ posted:Hi Tom.
I did some more fiddling and was able to reduce the number of joints that don't connect to just 1 in each loop. I've tried every combination of RealTrax 5.5", 4.25" and 3.5" sizes and the best I can come up with is either a .16" gap or a .09" overlap.
That said, I can tell you that the default join error in the SCARM software I'm using is .079" and the software was designed for HO-scale track. The RR-Track software I also use at times was designed for O-scale track and has options to .20". If I change SCARM to .20", the joints connect. I have some RealTrax and while I don't have enough to configure a loop like yours, I'm confident there is enough "play" in the tracks for either configuration to work. Also, small gaps can be filled in.
And if you're going to use DCS as your control system, it calls for the layout to be broken into insulated blocks with separate power feeds to each block.
Photo 1 shows both gaps and the optional configuration.
Photo 2 is just a closeup of one side.
Photo 3 shows how I replaced 60 of the 10" tracks with 20 of the longer 30" tracks.Photo1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Good morning Dave,
That looks good to me and I appreciate your extra work. I don't think this will make any difference but when I was drawing each piece of the Frame to label them I realized that I had a bad cut (junction) at the two angle pieces. Anyway I moved them in toward the center by 2" each. Not ever having made a Track Layout before I am unaware of the tolerance allowable so excuse me for my ignorance. I feel confident that this will work fine. Again, thanks so much for all this help.
