Tracks Info
by Mark Bellis August 2011

A mixture of the old and new types of 5-wide tracks can be made into some interesting shapes
An oval uses 2 lots of each, old and new
A Square uses 4 lots of each, old and new
A loop uses 1 lot of each old and new, equivalent to a circle of each.
28 old tracks (range 24 for minimum radius to 36 maximum before a circle becomes less stable)
48 new tracks (range 40-44 for minimum radius to about 60 maximum before stability reduces)

I did some other successful tests:
An egg shape - 2 lots of each, the old two lots differing in number.
A triple loop, with another 28 old tracks adjacent to the existing 28, worked OK.
A triple loop, with the circles of 28 old tracks spaced 24 new tracks apart, also worked.  Add a few extra new tracks.
Alternating old and new tracks:
- 1 old, 1 new is the same as all old because the radius is widened only when the protrusions of 2 new tracks interact.
- 1 old, 2 new makes good circles in multiples of 3 tracks in the 30s.
- 1 old, 3 new makes good circles in multiples of 4 in the 40s.
Eventually these patterns become polygons, like the square one.

This principle can make all sorts of useful cam shapes.  Use the 2 types of sprocket to travel around the cam shape.
The double loop makes a good spring - more possibilities there.

Have fun experimenting!