I assumed the Marklin Magazine layouts (e.g., Part 40 from 01/2009) were done with WinTrack. However, I find that I have to modify the plan when I try to draw it using WinTrack. For example, in Part 40, the concealed track segments overlap, rather than being separated from one another, when I do the plan with Wintrack. I am using the version 9.0 demo. I have also encountered this - needing to add/subtract/modify track pieces with other Marklin Mag layouts. I actually first encountered this when I used the Xtrakcad program. I then tried WinTrack to see if the programs were different - however, I get the same result with both programs.

I am curious if others have encountered this.

Hi Pete,

The author of the track plan that is published in Marklin Magazine has modified some track connections so as to fit in the space allotted and to also not have segments overlap. This is done at a track connection with the "twist track" command - see below.

Ralf Schneider (info@wintrack.de) from WinTrack's English Help site has indicated what Marklin's "trick" is:

"...the accuracy is always the same.
But when you draw a layout, you can manipulate the angles of the tracks at the connection point.
Use menu "Edit | Twist track" to do that. MM did it this way.
Then it differs from the "correct" layout ...."


Dan