Spline Update Questions

[Smegmagrindset]

Does anyone know what the maximum curve radius I should have in my layout to plan for the future? Also, does anyone know a good way to link the sawmill?

[Dkz1181]

I find about 25 to 30 degrees was the max for most of the engines in game, with the new spline system, well have fun working that out its likely +/- 25 your starting angle

though I would not worry about a maximum curve, it all depends on loco you intend to run, you may find your drive wheels jump the rails for long drive bases like the class 48 & 70, but boogied engines like the Climax will have no issues with tighter curves.

Historically some middle drive wheels are flanges so this isnt a problem, although its not a problem in game either to be fair, the only issue you will find is that if your curve is too tight and you have a heavy train you might pull your consist off the rails

[Disnydude1Rich]

The Main thing Mr. Kelnberger Has to work on is the FPS issue. I’ve never had to worry about frame rates UNTIL THIS PROGRAM was released. None of my other games act like this. He does not know how to code properly for Unreal Engine.

[Schlappspaten]

The sawmill gets a bit tricky trackwise. It all depends on what you like to achieve. Running through turning loops? Including WYE's? You like shunting? There are solutions for each and everything and sometimes even combining the themes. So you need to provide some informations on what you think of "a good way to link".

As for maximum radius always go for as big as possible. I tried to keep above 35m and have 30m only in yard areas. Even the sawmill loop is bigger than 30 (34 if I remember correctly) on my map. In old terms I stayed well under 25°, mostly 20° or wider on mainline track.

[Smegmagrindset]

Originally posted by Schlappspaten:

The sawmill gets a bit tricky trackwise. It all depends on what you like to achieve. Running through turning loops? Including WYE's? You like shunting? There are solutions for each and everything and sometimes even combining the themes. So you need to provide some informations on what you think of "a good way to link".

As for maximum radius always go for as big as possible. I tried to keep above 35m and have 30m only in yard areas. Even the sawmill loop is bigger than 30 (34 if I remember correctly) on my map. In old terms I stayed well under 25°, mostly 20° or wider on mainline track.

Thanks for the reply, so what I've been trying to do is create a y-loop from the log pond that links up to the mainline, but I can't seem to get a measurements right so the loops either running wide or ridiculously tight

[Dkz1181]

Originally posted by Smegmagrindset:

Originally posted by Schlappspaten:

The sawmill gets a bit tricky trackwise. It all depends on what you like to achieve. Running through turning loops? Including WYE's? You like shunting? There are solutions for each and everything and sometimes even combining the themes. So you need to provide some informations on what you think of "a good way to link".

As for maximum radius always go for as big as possible. I tried to keep above 35m and have 30m only in yard areas. Even the sawmill loop is bigger than 30 (34 if I remember correctly) on my map. In old terms I stayed well under 25°, mostly 20° or wider on mainline track.

Thanks for the reply, so what I've been trying to do is create a y-loop from the log pond that links up to the mainline, but I can't seem to get a measurements right so the loops either running wide or ridiculously tight

i find Its more trial and error then anything, if you have a straight section make a note of the length between your switches or just make a straight then place another at 90' at the mid point so you make a "T" place your 3rd switch at the top point of the T then just fill in the gaps.

You might want to make the centre line about half the length of the top of the T then just lengthen as needed to smooth out the turns

[Schlappspaten]

Here's a map of what I did with the games main branch map
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2876964770

The two tracks at the bottom of the pic are the line to the freight depot

[Schlappspaten]

And here's the beta version with turning loops for trains from/to freight depot and the logging trains:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2876970298

[Schlappspaten]

And here's a suggestion on how to save on switches and tracks.

Note: the inner turning loop at the northern end of the sawmill is 34m (or about 25° in the old track system) of radius with a wider segment at each end. The main trick of all three layouts is to keep switches off the turning loop and move them into the adjacent straights. This way the wye don't get too obvious but works with only minor backward moves anyway.

Also note: You can load beams at both tracks of the switch with the crane farthest from the sawmill. This didn't require particularly precise positioning of the switch if your tracks are located in a way, that loads hit about the center of the track.

Also note: The tracks to Iron Mine and Smelter are aligned the "wrong" way and will have to cross one over the other if you chose to go on the right side of the valley up to the iron mine. This way you can start the climb close to the sawmill and keep the gradients low. Otherwise you might want to chose to go double track through the small valley until hitting the big valley where you might like to go around level to the left for the mine line and down to the smelter with the other.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2876975032

[Akari_Enderwolf]

I'm not sure about the degrees, but I've found I can make curves slightly sharper than a 30m radius and still be fine in slower areas. In faster areas I've been find using 30m without derailing, though 35m-40m radius tends to be a bit nicer. For a 3% grade I've aimed for 40m radius minimum unless necessary, and used an 80m radius mixed with some 40m radius curves to help spiral my train safely down when I built my line to the Smelter.