Is it possible that we're mistaking the layout as being all on the same level whereas the original intent was to separate the two loops at the left side of the layout so that one is above or below the other?? This would explain the apparent "curved" switches whereby one loop "connects" with the other; AF never made these switches with what appears to be a full curve on one side and a half-straight and a half-curve on the other.
Is it possible that someone at ACG created the original design centerline to be on two levels and then left it to someone else to show the ends of each track section and to come up with the quantities of items needed?? The second person would then have assumed that the track was all on the same level and "fudged" the switches to make them work.
Separating the levels of the two loops at the left end solves most of the problems with this layout; the other problem is the switch on the bottom that leads to the crossing diamond.? This route has the equivalent of two straight track sections (one is the switch and the other is the crossing diamond) but the curve at the left end of the layout also only has two straights so this doesn't include the perpendicular distance needed for the switch at the bottom of the layout and the reverse curve that eventually leads to the crossing diamond.? OOPS?? If they'd made the switch lead directly into the curve leading to the the crossing diamond then this problem would also be resolved.
