2nd to 3rd radius using curved points

[stevecamden]

Some advice required....

I want to connect a 2nd to 3rd radius using 2 Hornby curved points. Do I have to cut a bit of flextrack to link the two points? I know this sounds straightforward but I can't 'make it happen' with standard track bits.

[Gregd99]

Steve,
I have never done this so my suggestion is a theoretical one.

From looking at the track geometry document (https://www.hornby.com/_assets/files/Track-Geometry-PDF.pdf) it looks to me as though a "Half Curve 2nd Radius, R643" might do the

job.

I use a free piece of software called winrail to plan my layout. I am not sure if it includes the curved points.....

Greg

[stevecamden]

Gregd99 said:

Steve,
I have never done this so my suggestion is a theoretical one.

From looking at the track geometry document (https://www.hornby.com/_assets/files/Track-Geometry-PDF.pdf) it looks to me as though a "Half Curve 2nd

Radius, R643" might do the job.

I use a free piece of software called winrail to plan my layout. I am not sure if it includes the curved points.....

Greg

[stevecamden]

Thanks Greg

It's not the R643 - I have tried that one. The only problem with little bits of curved flex-track is getting it perfect as its a bit fiddly ( well I find it so)

So I could just change the layout in that part so that both tracks

are 2nd radius and use the R643 to make up the connections. And then widen it again after a straight.


The other option, that I haven't tried, as I don't have the track is, from left to right:

Outer curve: R608, R610,R8075,R609,R600 ( goes

to parrallel straight.
Inner curve: R606,R607,R8074,R643,R643 (goes to parrallel)

Anyway -its not a big deal, but if anyone has done it elegantly then please let me know.

Steve

[FinnerZ]

Having done this in my own layout and Hornby virtual railway, I understand your problem and only found it in an ancient track plan book. This is how you were to do it in a 90 degree turn running from 6 o'clock to 9 o'clock, with the points running from

6 o'clock on the outer track to 9 o'clock on the inner track. You can simply flip it if you have a different curve layout. The outer loop (3rd radius) running from 6-9 is: R606, R8075(long side pointing inwards, loop continuing on shorter side), R607, and

R610. The inner curve (2nd radius) from 6-9 is: R643, R607, R8074 (this connects to the longer part of cuved point. The points are connected by the R643. I will try and get a picture hosting account so I can post a diagram I've made of it. Please ask if I've

been unclear, but this is the correct way to do it.

[stevecamden]

FinnerZ said:

Having done this in my own layout and Hornby virtual railway, I understand your problem and only found it in an ancient track plan book. This is how you were to do it in a 90 degree turn running from 6 o'clock to 9 o'clock,

with the points running from 6 o'clock on the outer track to 9 o'clock on the inner track. You can simply flip it if you have a different curve layout. The outer loop (3rd radius) running from 6-9 is: R606, R8075(long side pointing inwards, loop continuing

on shorter side), R607, and R610. The inner curve (2nd radius) from 6-9 is: R643, R607, R8074 (this connects to the longer part of cuved point. The points are connected by the R643. I will try and get a picture hosting account so I can post a diagram I've

made of it. Please ask if I've been unclear, but this is the correct way to do it.

[stevecamden]

Thanks - actually I had just deduced this one myself - Interesting that yo can't go from 2nd radius R607 to 3rd radius arc R609?

The R643 is too small to join the two points - almost looks like you need a 3rd radius half curve which doesn't exist

( hence my question originally about using a flex-track piece.

Now I don't know if it is me but the parrallel end R610 ( 3rd radius) and R8074 seem a bit distorted as if it is pulling it in a bit. I just wonder if in time this will cause derailments.

You

do need to build these things sometimes - seeing it on paper or screen doesn't show if it pulls or is too tight etc.

If you look at the hornby trackplan they show a 2nd to 3rd connect with a joiner track piece un-identified. This is the bit that looks

to me like a 3rd radius half curve.

I wonder if hornby could clarify....

[FinnerZ]

It is a bit distorted but it doesn't cause derailments - I've been using my set up for years and I get more derailments on straight points. I'm not sure why your R643 doesn't work because it fits mine. Are you certan that the ends of the curves are the

exact 67 mm apart because this could be your problem. I'm afraid I don't understant your first point about going from 2nd radius R607 to 3rd radius arc R609.

[stevecamden]

FinnerZ said:

It is a bit distorted but it doesn't cause derailments - I've been using my set up for years and I get more derailments on straight points. I'm not sure why your R643 doesn't work because it fits mine. Are you certan that the

ends of the curves are the exact 67 mm apart because this could be your problem. I'm afraid I don't understant your first point about going from 2nd radius R607 to 3rd radius arc R609.

[stevecamden]

Sorry the R643 does fit - Its just that as you say its a bit 'tight' even with a bit of pushing and pulling.

What I mean't was, if you look at the hornby trackplan it shows the curved points going from 2nd to 3rd radius using the R609 with a bit

of track between the points ( the connector) that isn't a R643. My question is - what is this bit of track?

[Big Gordon]

Funny I was having exactly the same problem, but found the answer in the current (R8140) Track Plan book page 40. R 643 is indeed the joiner, but as you say a bit tight.

[Class421]

180 degree turn
Outer Track: R610 - R607 - R8075 - R607 - R8074 - R607 - R610
Inner Track: R8074 - R607 - R606 - R607 - R8075
In-between the points is a R643.
I have used this setup on my last 2 layouts, as detailed on the relevant

track plans and have had no problems

[stevecamden]

Yes I concur! It is the R643, and I have used the R608 before the curved point on the outer track as this seems to smooth the transition a bit better when the loco is crossing - I had had derailements with the R607. I think its because the R643 in between

the points ( slight distortion) isn't exactly right but anyway I have tested in all directions and I am happy.

Well I never was any good at geometry at school....

[Akerbill]

180 degree turn
Outer Track: R610 - R607 - R8075 - R607 - R8074 - R607 - R610
Inner Track: R8074 - R607 - R606 - R607 - R8075
In-between the points is a R643.
I have used this setup on my last 2 layouts, as detailed on the relevant

track plans and have had no problems

Thank you very much.  I got this from Hattons and trust it's OK to post it 

[Chrissaf]

Ackerbill,

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