3-way tandem turnouts in Templot - can now be created automatically

[martin_wynne]

A new version 218a of Templot is now available. Your copy of Templot should update automatically if you restart it and follow the instructions. If you have any problems with that, follow the download links on the Templot web site.

 

Several users have said that creating a 3-way tandem turnout is too difficult, so I have tried to automate most of the process. It can't be fully automated because there are too many variables, but this will get you to a 3-way tandem which is buildable and workable. Start with the first turnout which should be around a B-7 or B-8 in size for best results, or longer if you have space. It can be straight or curved, but not on a transition curve. Then click this:

 

 

 

At present this is for double-sided tandems only, I shall be adding the single-sided option when I have seen how this goes and any issues which crop up. 

 

There is a new page of notes about this at: http://templot.com/companion/3_way_tandem_turnouts.php

 

which I shall be expanding with more notes and videos in the next few days.

 

For more detailed information please refer to the Templot Club forum at: http://85a.co.uk/forum/

 

regards,

 

Martin.

Edited January 15, 2018 by martin_wynne
typo

[Park]

Cracking, just what the doctor ordered. Thanks Martin

 

Read you note about final fettling, but we can do that   

[Rowsley17D]

Great addition. I just have to alter the track plan for my next layout but what space it will save. Thank you Martin.

[roythebus]

Hi Martin, just what I needed! I've tried doing the tandem for my own layout and it has been quite easy, though there's quite a bit of timber shoving. However, on one of the turnouts I made it into a crossover and the straight running rail on the other end of the crossover disappeared! how can I get it to come back? Also, when shoving timbers, I need to change the "hand" of the turnout it seems I need to change the sleeper labelling to the other side. I know it's possible but where is that hidden?

[martin_wynne]

Hi Roy,

 

To get the missing rail back, click the reset derived partial template menu item, see:

 

 

 

To shorten or lengthen timbers at the number end, hold down the SHIFT key while clicking the shorten or lengthen buttons (or while pressing S or L).

 

If you use the mouse actions instead of the buttons, alternate between adjusting the length and the throw to change the timber at the number end.

 

You can swap the numbers to the other side by changing the hand of plain track, but that won't work for turnouts.

 

All this stuff will be at:

 

 http://templot.com/companion/3_way_tandem_turnouts.php

 

in due course. I'm stuck with a chicken and egg situation when trying to keep the web site in sync with the Templot versions, or vice versa.

 

regards,

 

Martin.

Edited January 15, 2018 by martin_wynne

[hayfield]

Brilliant bit of software, sadly I need a single sided 3 way very soon

[roythebus]

So do I, Martin said in an earlier post it should be ready soon.

[drduncan]

Excellent news and I look forward to trying it out.

Duncsn

[martin_wynne]

At present this is for double-sided tandems only, I shall be adding the single-sided option when I have seen how this goes and any issues which crop up.

 

I have now added the single-sided tandem turnouts. A new version 218b of Templot is now available. Your copy of Templot should update automatically if you restart it and follow the instructions. If you have any problems with that, follow the download links on the Templot web site.

 

 

 

 

For more information about tandem turnouts in Templot please see this page:

 

 http://templot.com/companion/3_way_tandem_turnouts.php

 

which I shall be expanding in the next few days.

 

For more detailed discussion please refer to the Templot Club forum at: http://85a.co.uk/forum/

 

regards,

 

Martin.

[hayfield]

Thanks

 

Just in time

[Junctionmad]

Thanks Martin , a life saver

[johndon]

Just been having a play with this, excellent new feature.

 

John

[Rowsley17D]

 

Just what I needed for my latest plan. Managed to put in a doubled sided when it first became available so now I will be able to install a single sided as I just couldn't make a double one fit.

[roythebus]

I downloaded the latest version of Templot this afternoon and lo and behold, the new single-sided tandem was there!

 

I needed on for the re-gauging of the Hythe club's Alkham layout which I'm building the track for. the tandem is right handed on a very large radius left hand curve. It took several goes to get the branch tracks in the right place for the plan, I must have has 5 goes at it, but it worked in the end.  Anyone building a layout from new rather than copying what-is-already-there would find it much easier to use. I had to do a bit of timber shoving and omitting some, but that was to be expected, also some minor adjustments to wing rails. I'll probably do that by eye rather than messing about with the drawings yet again.

 

Thanks to Martin for the further developments, the slip options were extremely useful as are the tandem turnouts.