**Anyone have info on track layout software for G-Scale?**

[MikeD95]

Greetings to the board (Newbie/Beginner level enthusiast here),

I brought a 4-6-0/45mm Wonderland Flyer G-Scale last year (similar model- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6eP9tWMfy4) and would like to try some innovative layout ideas but not sure how to go about planning it, materials/extra track needed etc...

I have perused some of the software talked about on these forums (Anyrail, XTrackCAD, Atlas - Righttrack, etc...) but have yet to see anything geared to the Bachmann E-Z track specs. Are there compatible lines that I am overlooking or is it simply G-scale is as G-Scale does?  I came across this sturdy looking no frills converter: http://webpages.charter.net/dobbsp/mrr.htm. Not sure if I would be able to make a layout in another scale and simply transfer but by all means enlighten me if so. 

My basic idea is: I would like to take a generic oval and build a graduated trestle and loop back down under it in sort of a single helix structure. I feel as though I could probably do it on the fly but i'd prefer not to make the common amatuer mistake of reinventing the wheel if possible.

Any suggestions or resources would be most appreciated.

[smcgill]

 Some times it takes a while to get a response especially in the summer months. That said. Bachmann E-Z track is usually for inside. Are you building inside or outside? That helps us as to how to direct you're questions. I started using   Xtrack It Veeeeeeeery interesting! ( It's own world) I just ended up getting the size curves I wanted , and just went out  and put them down. I just keep moving stuff around and got pieces I was missing, so It would work.It looks one way on paper but diff. outside. Good luck   Sean

[Joe Satnik]

Dear Mike,

The Bachmann G track is good only for indoors.  It rusts badly outdoors. 

It's curves only come in "R1" (an LGB designation), which is close to 2 ft. radius, or ~4 ft. diameter. 

There are 12 sections/circle, or 30 degrees each.  (12 X 30 degrees = 360 degrees.) 

LGB, Aristo-craft and others make outdoor track in various radii and flex.  You would have better luck finding layout software and track libraries for those manufacturers. 

Bachmann G track is just a (small) subset of their track libraries. 

The only other bachmann pieces that I know of are end-of-track bumpers, R1 turnouts and the 90 degree crossings, which come with four half-straights.

If someone (Terry T.?) would measure and report back the length of the 90 degree crossing and the half straights that come with it, that would help. 

The straight portion of a turnout replaces a straight (~12" long) and the curve portion of a turnout replaces a regular curve. 

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik     

[MikeD95]

Some times it takes a while to get a response especially in the summer months. That said. Bachmann E-Z track is usually for inside. Are you building inside or outside? That helps us as to how to direct you're questions. I started using   Xtrack It Veeeeeeeery interesting! ( It's own world) I just ended up getting the size curves I wanted , and just went out  and put them down. I just keep moving stuff around and got pieces I was missing, so It would work.It looks one way on paper but diff. outside. Good luck   Sean

Thanks for the response. I completely understand about the delay. Its a christmas display project so i'm just getting ideas early and will be surfing the boards to get tips and suggestions. But yes its INDOOR and a meager 12ft by 6ft space that i'm working with. I also understand about the difference between a digitial layout versus what you ACTUALLY end up with. Again was just trying to get a idea about materials. I think i'll just err on the side of caution and get more materials than I need.

Dear Mike,

The Bachmann G track is good only for indoors.  It rusts badly outdoors. 

It's curves only come in "R1" (an LGB designation), which is close to 2 ft. radius, or ~4 ft. diameter. 

There are 12 sections/circle, or 30 degrees each.  (12 X 30 degrees = 360 degrees.) 

LGB, Aristo-craft and others make outdoor track in various radii and flex.  You would have better luck finding layout software and track libraries for those manufacturers. 

Bachmann G track is just a (small) subset of their track libraries. 

Thanks for your response also. Yeah I noticed that LGB seems to be pretty commonplace. I was just wondering if the track dimensions are interchangeable. Obviously im a wee bit of a novice but I think I have a fair idea of what I need being that my design idea is none too complex.

Again thanks for your input.

I made a quick flex track design on Right Track if anyone has that particular software and would like clarity on what im talking about. Its hard to describe in 3d other than it being a generic oval with a straight upgrade/helix downgrade at one end.

http://www.zshare.net/download/6467589047c4f049/ (.ral file)

[renniks]

About the only thing that is common is the distance between rails. AnyRail has virtually every make of track EXCEPT E-Z track.
Some manufacturers have different radii for curves and lengths for straight track sections plus differing rail heights. For turnouts there are different lengths and frog angles.
Cannot open your file so have no idea what you intend. Even a rough handdrawn layout with some dimensions scanned into your PC and uploaded here would help us to help you.

Eric UK

[renniks]

Mike

Have just looked at Products/Large/Track and all that is shown are pics of the various pieces. No info as to radius or lengths. Since Bachmann do not give this you cannot expect anyone else to have it.

Eric UK

[Peter O]

Try RR Track ( http://www.rrtrack.com ) which I've used successfully for both G and HO layouts. They have a track library for EZ-Trak which I have used. The software is pretty easy to learn (vs CADrail), handles gradients, has a 3D viewer and I think could handle everything you are looking for.

Peter.

[Peter O]

Mike, I just reread you original post.

For G scale, 12 x 6 is not going to give you many options, a helix or over/under trestle is just about impossible as the gradients involved would be too much. So you are either looking at some simple design ( see http://www.thortrains.net/ for a ton of ideas).

I would suggest you perhaps downsize to On30 which is still large enough to have some visual impact, runs on HO Z-Trak and will provide a lot more options in the space you have available.

Good luck. Peter.

[MikeD95]

Mike, I just reread you original post.

For G scale, 12 x 6 is not going to give you many options, a helix or over/under trestle is just about impossible as the gradients involved would be too much. So you are either looking at some simple design ( see http://www.thortrains.net/ for a ton of ideas).

I would suggest you perhaps downsize to On30 which is still large enough to have some visual impact, runs on HO Z-Trak and will provide a lot more options in the space you have available.

Good luck. Peter.

Many thanks on your inputs. I had a mild fear this would be the case which is why I wanted to plan it out first.

Technically I could probably extend the rise gradient to make it doable but I was always very skeptical about that steep a depression angle (~9 inches in about 3-4 feet!). I may perhaps downgrade the scale but I think ill just simplify the design. If i'm feeling brave I may try to expand the dimensions of the area (I have more room I was just trying to keep the display streamlined).

In any event I most appreciate the feedback and i'll let you guys know how it turns out. I hope this turns out to be the spark of a genuine hobby as model trains are something I have always been fascinated by since seeing the display at the Museum of Science & Industry back home in Chicago during my childhood.

Thanks Everybody.