System change without transition
Work in progress: This section is still a work in progress — content is being added and revised continuously.
What is checked? Whether two connected track ends come from different track systems of the same gauge with no transition track or matching transition rail joiner between them. Example: Märklin C track joined straight to M track.
Why does it matter? The same gauge does not mean the tracks fit together. Rail height, rail foot, joiners and roadbed differ from system to system. Without a transition the joint has a step in the rail, or the joiners do not grip. Trackplanner still lets the ends snap together, because many layouts mix two systems on purpose. That is why this is a hint and not an error.
How to fix it: Fit a transition track between the two systems at the joint. In the catalogue they are called “transition track”, for example Märklin 24951 from C to M track. For some pairs, transition rail joiners that make up the height difference are enough (for example Atlas 0551 from code 83 to code 100). If Trackplanner knows such a joiner, it does not report the joint and adds the joiner to the parts list.
Numbers & defaults: reported for every connected joint between two systems of the same gauge. No hint if the two systems fit directly according to the coupling table (for example Peco Setrack and Streamline code 100), if a transition track to the other system sits at the joint, or if the table names a transition rail joiner. Toy systems are not checked by this rule.