ISW

Phil, Thankfully, I normally have 'scale line widths' off anyway. In such circumstances, adding a 90-degree line to the end of a line (not at end symbol) is a useful visual tool to define limits. And thanks for the 'G' trick, hadn't known that one. There is a 'A' (for angle trick) as well (now I've checked the Help file), but I can't fathom that one. Bye the way, it's nice to find someone else actually using Xara! Ian

Phil, Don't know which software you used, but the PDF imports into Xara Designer Pro without problems. In Xara, the 'snapping' only works to the X and Y axes (and object ends / middle / etc.). Snapping objects on an angle only works by manual rotation of the objects to the desired angle first. What I've found useful is to 'export' key parts of the track alignment (eg: junctions) from the layout software (in my case this turned out to be a bitmap), and then import it into Xara (and then scale it correctly). Bit of a 'faff' but useful to enable me to use Xara to the 'overall' design, and ensure the track junctions actually fit. However, I think I'll complete the drawing eventually in the layout software, once I'm happy with the overall look in Xara. One comment I would add to your Drawing is to ensure you 'mark' the ends of each turnout / diamond / scissors, so that when they are aligned / joined together, each element is still easy to see. That way any short bits of plain track will stand out. On your crossovers, why have you used 55.32mm (that's what it scaled in Xara) as the track centres? I thought Peco turnouts gave 52mm track centres natively. Ian

Indeed it was. However, I seem to have started a bit of a discussion on this issue! What I can't get my head around is that the basic geometry of the Peco turnouts does not seem to be 'cast in stone'. Clearly I can live with the odd mis-alignment, because a bit of 'fettling' here and there will get the alignment back. However, my plan will be relying on a layout drawn up in software and I really don't want to end up with any 'surprises' once I get around to actually building it. But, like I said, I'm sure most of these can be worked around with a bit of 'cutting and bending' at the heel of the turnout crossing. The main issue is to be able to get good reliable running through the turnouts, without any obvious 'jumps'.Such things just don't look good. Ian

Chris / David, Thank you for clearing up some of the issues for me. At least I can progress with a layout in 'software' in the (reasonable) knowledge that when I actually build it the layout will work. Although I am a Brit I've spent just about my entire life working with German or Austrian turnouts around the World from small 140m 1in7 right up to huge 10000/4800m (transition) 1in32.05 swing nose types. I find their geometry much easier to understand than the UK ones, and wouldn't have any problems using such for a model railway. The only issue is compatibility with Peco Code 100 that I would use for the rest (I have quite a few old Lima coaches / locos from the 1980s that will need the Code 100 rails). Ian

David, Now you have me worried .... I was planning to design my layout accurately with layout software before any building commenced. However, if the 'real' turnouts don't match up to the 'geometry' specification I'm going to have a problem. Mutter ... Out of curiosity, can you 'overlay' your 'real' turnouts onto the Peco turnout plans (printed full-size)? Are the differences visible, and if so where? Ian

This seems to conflict with the previous responses I received. I did a quick check on a few internet web pages (actually an Ebay model shop in Sydney Australia!) and found the following information for Peco Streamline Code 100 turnouts: Type Radius Angle (degrees) Length (mm) Small (SL-92) 610mm (24") 12 185mm Medium (SL-95) 914mm (36") 12 219mm Large (SL-88) 1524mm (60") 12 258mm Curved Large (SL-86) 1524mm (60") / 762mm (30") n/a 256mm (if there is a 'proper' way to do Tables in these posts let me know!) This Table appears to confirm the 12-degrees common angle for Code-100 streamline turnouts. All of which makes me wonder if there exists a 'complete' trackwork modelling 'specification' in the modelling community (containing all the salient measurements, track centres, turnout angles, gradient recommendations, structure gauge requirements - straight and curves, platform offsets / height, I could go on ...) to which we could all refer (and contribute)? Ian

Many thanks for the answers / information. At least I now know that the turnout geometry of the Peco code-100 turnouts in the track layout software I'm using is correct. I haven't checked the code-75 ones as I wasn't planning to use them. From the answers I summarize: all Peco streamline turnouts have the same turned angle (12-degrees) the angle and radius is printed on the turnout packaging - now I know where to find it! Maybe Peco should include it on the 'specification' sheets, which I did print out the increase in turnout length is accounted for by the increase in turnout radius the crossing part of the turnout is straight, with the turnout curve ending somewhere 'before' the crossing a Peco setrack turnout has a larger angle of 22-degrees (probably okay for industrial sidings, but not mainlines) Bullet 4 is of some concern. Since all the streamline turnouts have the same turned angle, the only way to vary it is to introduce a curve onto the back of the turnout. If a larger angle is required, then the turnout radius can be extended - but with a short 'flat' (straight part) at the turnout crossing. If a smaller angle is required, a reverse curve (with a short 'flat') results. Is this actually an issue, or am I being overly worried? Now I understand why some modellers build their own turnouts. Ian

Is the angle of the short, medium, and long Peco turnouts the same? ie: the angle between the straight and diverging tracks. I was under the impression that they would be different, until I started drawing up a track layout using some design software. It came as something of a surprise. If I wanted to have different angles, what are my options for 'off the shelf' products compatible with Peco Code 100 track? Ian