LoopOval

From Loop to Oval

The following instruction will guide you through selection and placement of sectional track pieces required to transform the loop of track created in the previous exercise into an oval layout. Work on the loop will start in the upper left quadrant and progress in a clockwise manner around layout until an oval layout exists.

Extend Mainline

The first step in this exercise is extension of mainline track from the top of the loop to right side of layout. This will be achieved through selection and placement of four pieces of Atlas 9" sectional track.

Select the "Atlas #821, 9” Straight" track on the Hotbar.

Drag the track from the Hotbar to the layout, placing it next to the existing piece of straight track. Once the track is in position, press the space bar to fix the track in position.

Complete the mainline by placing three additional sections of "Atlas #821, 9" Straight" track next to the piece that was just laid.

Looping Back

A curved section of track will be constructed from the end point of the straight section back toward the origin point of the first loop. This will be achieved through addition a five sections of 18”, 30D curved track.

Select the "Atlas #833, 18” 30D Curved" track from the Hotbar. Drag it to the layout and place it adjacent to the end of the straight track. The section of track should snap into place as it's dragged closer to the end of the straight track. If like in the example, the track curves the wrong way, hold the shift key and click on the section of track with the left mouse key.

With the curved section of track oriented correctly, press the space bar to fix the track in position.

Continue building the loop by adding four additional sections of "Atlas #833, 18” 30D Curved" track. Don't be concerned about the loop not extending 180 degree's. Additional track sections will be added at the next step.

The Alignment Process Begins

The loop of track on the left side of this layout was constructed using "Atlas 836 22" 22.5D Curved" track. In order to join the loop being created in this exercise with the loop on the left side of the layout, it will be necessary to bring the unconnected sections of track into alignment. This will be achieved through placement of three short pieces of 18” 10D curved track.

Select the "Atlas #835, 18” 10D Curved" track from the Hotbar, drag it to the layout and place it adjacent to the end of the 18" curved track. The section of track should snap into place as it's dragged closer to the end of the straight track. If the track section curves the wrong way, simply hold the shift key then click on the track section with the left mouse key. Once the track is oriented correctly, press the space bar to fix the track in position. Add a second piece of track to complete this step of the exercise.

Heading Home!

Select the "Atlas #821, 9” Straight" track on the Hotbar. Drag the track from the Hotbar to the layout, placing it next to the last piece of 18” 10D curved track that was placed in the previous step. Once the track is in position, press the space bar to fix the track in position.

Complete this section of mainline track by placing four additional sections of "Atlas #821, 9" Straight" track next to the piece that was just laid.

The Alignment Process Ends

The alignment process started with placement of two 18” 10D curved tracks at the bottom of the right hand loop. In this step, a third section of track will be added to complete the alignment process.

Select the "Atlas #835, 18" 10D Curved" track from the Hotbar.

Drag the track from the Hotbar to the layout, placing it next to the last piece of 9” straight track that was placed in the previous step. Once the track positioned, press the space bar to fix it in position. If the default setting for "Connection Distance" has not been changed, then the last section of track may not connect to the 22" curved section of track. If this happens, follow the instruction in the next section; Making Things Connect".

Making Things Connect

If the left side of the 18" 10D Curved" track didn't connect to the right side of the existing 22" curved section of track don't worry. Sectional track has enough "play" to overcome the slight space that remains between the two tracks and can be pulled together for final connection.

To achieve the same affect with XTrackCAD, a slight change to the "Connection Distance" parameter will be required. Open the Preferences window by using the Options/Preferences menu buttons or the <ctrl+alt+p> shortcut keys. In the field titled "Connection Distance", change the entry so it reads 0.150” (.38 MM) then click OK to save this setting.</ctrl+alt+p>

Connect the last two tracks using the "Change / Connect Sectional Track", the “Connect two tracks” button or the <ctrl+shift+j> command. Note the message in the status bar asking you to "Select first End-Point to connect." Click on the unconnected end of 22" 22.5D curved track.</ctrl+shift+j>

Once the first End-Point has been selected, the message in the status bar will change to read "Select second End-Point to connect." Click on the unconnected end of 18" 10D curved track.

If the "Connection Distance" is set correctly, the track sections will move slightly and the 18" and 22" curved sections of track will join together. If they don't, go back to the Preferences window and increase the "Connection Distance" by 0.05" (1.27 MM). If the "Connection Distance" must be increased to a value greater than 0.25" (6.35 MM), re-check the layout to ensure the correct sectional track pieces have been utilized.

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