When you are designing the layout of your model railroad tracks there are two ways you can go, either simple or complicated.
Figuring out how much track you need to buy and the type of track you require always depends on the overall design of the track.
Keep in mind, when creating the design, that you need enough room to lay the tracks.
First, find out how much space you have to work with and then create your dream layout within that space.
The first step is to put your track design down on a piece of paper before assembling anything.
If you have the benchwork created you can even draw the layout of your tracks right on the plywood to make things even easier for you.
Planning your design completely before starting is a good idea.
This way, if finances are issue, you can build your layout in parts and keep expanding whenever you can invest more.
After your layout is planned it is easy to figure out the length of the track you require and you will know if you need half-track sections or odd track lengths.
Creating custom track sizes is easy.
All you need to do is use a hacksaw to cut the tracks to the desired length.
For corners, you will need radius track sections, which are available in different radii to create tight corners, long easy corners, and everything in between.
Straight tracks will also be needed and those are also available in different lengths.
This allows you to pick the track pieces that will help in creating your specific layout most easily.
It is not always the case that dimensions of curved tracks are declared in the terms of radius.
There is a labeling system that uses terms such as, 027 or 036 on the tracks and locomotives.
The numbers placed after the 0 is the diameter of the curve in inches.
In a 24 inch radius of an Atlas HO True-Track, 16 sections are required in order to complete a full 48 inch diameter.
For the 18 inch radius, 12 sections required to complete a circle of 36 inch diameter.
In addition to the curved and straight tracks, there are crossings, turnouts and flex tracks which vary from one manufacturer to the next.
You should understand that not all brands of integrated roadbed track would be well matched with other brands.
These products also depend on the type of integrated roadbed you would be using as a base.
If you are not experienced with roadbeds then you should seek guidance from someone who is.
Flex tracks are directly attached to the roadbed and as the names suggests, you can bend the track so that it creates any radius you need.
You have to be careful though, if the curve is too tight then your train will not be able to negotiate the turn.
The Atlas Super flex bends easily to form any shape and comes in 3 foot sections.
You can also custom cut these sections to any required size by using a hacksaw.
Crossings are the junctions through which two tracks heading in opposite directions cross each other.
They vary on the basis of brands and sell in different degrees.
Turnouts allow the entering trains to decide which route to take.
These are also known as switches.
A closed switch allows the train to stay on the current track, but if the switch is "thrown", then the train chooses an alternate path.
It is never recommend that you put together a model train track without any prior planning.
Plan your layout thoroughly to make sure that you know exactly which parts you will need and where they will go.
You will thank yourself later.