Model Railroad Calculators & Templates
Plan grades and helixes, print full-size curve and spiral easement templates, check car overhang and track spacing, and work out scale speed and train length. Each tool states its assumptions and supports inches or millimetres.
Choose a track-planning step
Work in inches or millimetres in any scale from Z to G. Printable templates are tiled at full size with a 25 mm check square, so print at 100% or Actual size before tracing onto the subroadbed. Rules of thumb are labelled as such, and results should be tested against your own equipment.
Plan the climb
Set the grade, ease it into the flat, and size a helix when the layout needs another level.
Draw the track
Print full-size curves and spiral easements, then check that long cars clear each other.
Run the trains
Check scale speed against a stopwatch and see whether a train fits the siding.
Grade Calculator
Find the grade, vertical easements and riser heights for a climb, or the run needed for a target grade.
Helix Calculator
Work out helix grade, turns, track length and footprint, and print a full-size deck segment template.
Easement Template
Print a full-size spiral easement and curve template for model railroad track, with the exact offset from the tangent.
Curve Template
Print a full-size circular curve template for one or two tracks, with chord, sagitta and radial tick marks.
Curve Clearance
Find how far cars swing in and out on a curve and the minimum spacing between parallel tracks.
Scale Speed
Convert a timed run over a measured distance into scale mph and km/h, or find the time for a target speed.
Train Length
Scale a train's prototype length to the model, check it against your siding and find how many cars fit.