Track slopes

[Anonymous]

I know it has been said before but please explain (in great detail) how I get smooth slops with the track and grass underneath.

Reg from Down South.

[Anonymous]

These are my observations. Others may have better techniques.

General advice:

1. Save often, and perhaps use different file names so you can roll back to something earlier than the latest saved layout.

2. Save often. Yeah, I already said that but this might be the hardest and most frustrating part of the whole process with mistakes easily made.

3. Save this operation until all track has been laid.

Lifting the track:

1. Determine the track point that will be at the highest elevation – You probably should mark the points where the track joins ‘ground level’ – or an elevated horizontal stretch of track – a good use for the cacti – so you have a sense of your progress.

2. Use the highest track piece to lift the entire track section with the ‘lift’ tool on the ‘build tracks’ window. Select that tool then position the cursor on the piece to lift. Hold down the left mouse button and raise/lower to the point you want. I would suggest you use the maximum slope that the lift operation gives you, adjusting each piece is a thankless job – I’ve tried it and it sucks.

Leveling the track:

1. You can level sections of raised track through the use of the ‘platf.’ tool on the ‘build tracks’ window.

2. Make sure none of the track is selected (highlighted).

3. Select the ‘platf’ tool from the window; position it on a piece at the correct elevation; holding the left mouse button down, run the cursor over the track you wish to have at the same elevation. Warning: If you pass over other track sections, they will also be repositioned. This is definitely a save point. I position the view of the layout in such a manner that I do not risk coming near other tracks during this operation.

Adding a ground platform:

1. You can add a ground platform to sections of raised track through the use of the same ‘platf.’ tool on the ‘build tracks’ window.

2. Select and highlight those pieces of track that should have a soil platform underneath.

3. Select the ‘plaft.’ button on the ‘build tracks’ window. I’ve noticed that the platform will become more substantial the longer/more often you select the ‘platf.’ button.

Oh, did I say to save often?

I model the elevation of the remainder of the terrain after this.

Good luck, Chris

[Anonymous]

Biggs,

I thought I’d come back and update my earlier posting now that I’ve been working more with manually adjusting the gradient of a track. Again, this technique works for me; those that are more experienced may have refinements they’d like to share.

1. Use as long a track section as possible.

2. Work adjacent to the joint of the track to be raised. Raise from one side of the joint and lower from the other.

3. Raise the track section just until there is movement in the adjoining section. That seems to give a nice gentle slope. You’ll have to adjust the degree of slope based on the size of your modeling.

Regards, Chris

[Anonymous]

(1) If you are happy with the maximum gradient RTR will allow (which I am) the easiest way to get smooth grades is to use the platform tool from both sides. Make sure nothing is selected, click on the platform tool. Then starting at a low spot on the track, slide toward the grade. Then starting at a high spot on the grade, slide toward the top of the grade. You can push the grade farther toward the low side by continuing to slide the mouse extending the upper platform. With this technique, short pieces of track will allow more flexibility in where the grade ends up on the layout.

(2) For filling under lots of track with soil, this trick speeds up the process. First, remove a piece of track at the beginning and aother at the end of the area to be filled under. Second, double click to select all the track segments between the two removed segments. Third, click the platform tool on the build tracks panel. Finally, replace the removed track. This will fill the whole stretch of track with the appropriate amount of soil.

(2a) If you have switches in the layout, you may need to remove more than two track segments to isloate the piece you want to under-fill.

(2b) It is sufficient to just move the track segments out of alignment with the original track. You don’t have to delete them. This is important if there are Power Supplies, Signals, Controls, Insulators, etc. on that track. Moving them out of the way then putting them back where they were preserves all those things that are associated with the track segment.

(2c) If you have the entire layout at the levels you want, you don’t have to remove any track sections at all. Just select the whole thing and then platform to fill the whole thing.

(3) The above methods will automatically create tunnels when the rails overlap. To get bridges, platform the segments that are in the tunnel, one at a time. As if by magic, a bridge will be created for the upper track in place of the tunnel for the lower one. It turns out, it takes less difference in height for an acceptable bridge (one where the trains don’t hit the timbers) than it does for a tunnel (to keep the top of the tunnel under the rails).

Roger

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