Track brand conversion

Keith Feb 24, 2020

  1. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

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    Along with the airbrush set up I picked up Thursday, I
    also snagged a 1967 copy of an Arnold Rapido track plan book.
    Seen its better days however!

    Is there any easy way to convert the track plans to other
    brands of track, such as Atlas or maybe Kato? Or is Rapido track
    still available?
     
  2. Point353

    Point353 TrainBoard Member

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    Arnold Rapido track production seems to have disappeared since the acquisition by Hornby.
    I don't see why you shouldn't be able to convert a plan to using other brands of track.
    Depending upon which types of turnouts were used, some adjustments might be necessary.
    Can you post a photo or a scan of any plans that interest you?
     
  3. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    Get a (free) copy of XTrkCAD layout software. They have an Arnold track library. I see it as an option to load but have never tried it. You may be able to put the layout from the book into the computer and then see what equivalent Atlas, Peco, Kato, etc. tracks that may match the Arnold. Good way to do a "What If" simulation on the computer without the actual Arnold tracks.
     
    mtntrainman likes this.
  4. bill pearce

    bill pearce TrainBoard Member

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    I;ve never seen the Arnold plans, but is there a grid on the plan? You could transfer the grid to 1:1 on your plywood or foam and go from there. Or, just get some other track pieces and come close by eye. Nothing magic in Arnold's dimensions.
     
    mtntrainman likes this.
  5. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    The only dimensional difference I have found with European track has been in the turnouts and a wider selection of them. There you tend to find the sharper turnouts that are not available in US brands and curved turnouts.
     
  6. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

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    Book is in pretty sad shape! IF I can, I'm gonna TRY to
    salvage what I can, by attempting to scan things to
    computer.Have a page scanner, so i can scan extra long
    pages, with no problem! And hopefully, be able to print them out decently!
    May talk with Mom, about carefully ironing out the pages, to
    get them as flat as possible, before scanning.
     
  7. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    Careful with an iron/heat. May accelerate the deterioration. I would just put some having objects on it like books, etc. and wait a week.
     

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