I am using Atlas code 83, some sectional, some flex for my layout.  Is there some sort of template I can use to put down on my surface and bend the flex track to match?  I was trying to eyeball it without any kind of template and I keep getting derailments when I test it out. I need to make the curve somewhere between 18 and 20 inch radius.

Due to the limited space allotted by management for my layout, I am using a Ro-Ro elevator as my off-layout fiddle yard. The discharge end faces into a corner and a curved and elevated section of track bends around to meet it. The entire 7x10 layout is on teflon feet so it can be slid out to service the wall-mounted heat pump and seasonally accessed windows. This has been an interesting design challenge all by itself.

I need some advice on tools - I hope I put this in the right place on the forum.  I will be modeling in HO scale Since my needs are many, but funds are small, I need to make good informed purchases.  So I need to tap into the collective wisdom of the forum.

Since my last blog entry I have tweaked and tuned (and added guard rails to) the double cross-over until it seems to be happy.  I had trouble running steam through it - I think because of too tight flangeways - so I broke my rules and bought a diesel.  It's a sweet-running Atlas MP 15DC (n scale DCC).  I may convert to diesels permanently.  It is a lot more comfortable on my cross-over than the steamers and is very smooth in switching.