Tutorial Rkpd

8/6/2019 Tutorial Rkpd

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How to make a diamond (English) junction

I am going to introduce a step-by-step tutorial how to make a diamond double junction (aka Rkpd) using my templates.

Additionaly, I am going to show you how to create a junction allowing to direct onto one of four possible directions

only. (the rest of tracks implemented into the junction will be rusty)

NB! To make the screens more clear and readable most of them have hidden point markers (yellow rounds), it is

switched on trackside accessories option. Actually the point markers exist while constructing of course.

1. Place the junction template at the desired area and fit it to the tracks. (the templates are located in: Scenery-Poland-

Szablony rozjazdowe). The template name include its geometrical parameters and the type.

At this example the junction with radius 190 is chosen as it is most popular in Polish stations. According to our

nomenclature it is Rkpd 1:9-190.

2. From the menu: tracks choose used up track (the shining one). It is very important to have the same tracks both,

in versions used up and rusty either. The matter is that the textures of the trackbed and sleepers should be identical.

Otherwise the result may not be satisfying. I personally like to use FMA tracks and I have done rusty version to them as

well using the same kind of trackbed. Those tracks will be shown in this example. The rusty version is ready for

download atmy internet site.

The other kind of tracks suitable for making junctions (each type of junction) are Makis tracks. They are available from

PTT download site.

One more remark! The templates are projected to take the texture colour from the linked track. Thats why you mustnt

merge the tracks to outside ending of the template while creating the junction using two track types: normal and rusty

one. Do this right after the finish of constructing.

Taking above into consideration you may start making Rkpd. In this example the used track will be left-bottom/right-

bottom.

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Install the track to left-bottom point on the inside part of the template (just dont care about position of second track

end, see the picture.)

As you can see, this part of the template took the tracks texture to itself .

3. As the next step is to lengthen the track straight on the junction (conventionally the track sections being layed are

not straight in fact), where the trains are not running, change the track into rusty one. The shining truck will be added

with further steps of constructing. Add the track from the other side of a hole in the template. Dont care about track

ending location for now as well. (see the picture).

It is shown that lengthen truck changed into rusty. It is good! There are not running trains of course. At the end merge

both two endings shiny and rusty ones. Now you can see the point the trains would pass aside.



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4. Now start the constructing with a neighboring hole at the template. As there are no running trains intentionally, you

may use both rusty tracks.

NB! It is not possible to merge two template points with one track section! It is TRS issue and it is not possible to

evade it. Thus lead with one section, place the point and close the hole with other section from other side. (The points

placed are going to be useful in next steps.)



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5.Start constructing second end of the junction. The steps are the same as with first part of constructing but use the

tracks in symmetrical (mirrored) way:

- from the middle area lead the rusty one;

- from the end area lead the shiny one;

- merge the endings (the screen shows yellow points - they exist :-) )



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- construct with the last hole with the rusty tracks .

6. You should get a dog-like shape:

It is clear how is the tracking of trains: the shiny endings in the template.

NB! At this step it is highly recommended to use: straighten the track option from the TRS menu. It concerns all

track sections at the template.Click on each section after use on the first track at the point of merged tracks very sharp curve is going to create, right

after clicking on the second point the shape will be fine back.

This way all pairs of tracks must be cliked out. To get it easier try to click right near the points of merging the track

with the template. The tracks are not overlapping at these places.



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7. Create a track for a sideway direction. As it should be shiny track, choose it and connect proper points between

sections. You should get like this:

As you can see, previously created sections applied to the new track and two first (two from four in Rkpd) switches

appeared. For now, leave it as is.

8. The same things must be done at the other side. As there are no trains runnings over there choose the rusty track. The

next two switches appeared.

Now it is time for very important step. Without it the work wont be satisfiying.

At the track menu in TRS click on the green dot to get additional options. Get the tool: Get the track height. With it

get the point height form the template. When you have it use the second tool: Apply the track heightto give constant

height to all points created. Why it is so important? White round points (placed at first time) fit to the ground height and

it may cause curvatures of track sections elevation. The points we applied (changed from white to yellow) keep the

elevation despite of the ground height differences, it allows to keep the tracks construction stable.



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It is showed how is the running way made (from where and to the trains are passing). Now it is time to keep it in a

correct order.

9. Drag the switch points near the blue markers at the template, taking care not to drag them too far and miss the tracks

with the sides.



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10. Set the ground view with one of the straight directions in the junction. Catch the switch point and place it exactly

at the blue marker consequently that short sections create one joint straight line together with the template tracks. Dont

care for the shape of aside track for now.

In spite of all, if you are not able to create the straight line it is possible that you didnt straighten the sections correctly,

go back to previous steps and try to redo. If it doesnt help, just star again from the beginning.

By the routine, the junction constructing should be made in shorter time than reading this manual so dont worry to

correct the mistakes while first tries.

11. Turn the view on the other direction side and make the same steps with the second switch:



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12. The same must be remade for the second end of Rkpd , this time keeping correct aside track location is important of

course. It should be layed as nice bow. Right after all four switches on their proper places aside tracks should lay

symmetrically to each other:

13. Well done!

In the end: a schematic picture explaining the parts: of the template, what we have to create and place, and which

sections must be straightened.

Black color the template tracks

Red color - the tracks created by you in Surveyor mode with straighten option

Green color the tracks created by you in Surveyor mode without straighten option

Orange color color of the points at the template

Blue color points created in Surveyor mode they are places where switches are



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Finally you should put the switches in an order. TRS intentionally gives those red switches to each junction. In real life

two neighboring junctions in Rkps are connected to each other mechanically and switched with one mechanism:

mechanical, electrical or by hand). To get it in TRS we use the trick: Cancel all TRS red levers and instead them place

as a pair: a normal one (I use JEA-29 of my production) and invisible (the only arrows), also my asset.

Do this from both sides. Now you must connect normal switch with invisible to set the junctions with one click. You

may do this with junction link asset (DLS) or Cauers lantern from Chesters JDS. The Chester;s lantern requires a

configuration however it gives you exact junction data about the directions etc.

The final effect you may see here:

Good luck!

R.Bach

Translated by AVS1000 (J.Pawlikowski)


Documents

Tutorial Rkpd