Trackbed cross-section template with placeholder track (no brand)

Model railway accessories

Trackbed cross-section template – ballast bed, cess, ditch and embankment, Z, N, TT, H0

Template for the standard cross-section of a single-track line: ballast shoulder, formation, cess, ditch and embankment. Rests on the rails.

Choose a version
€1.50incl. VAT

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Licence: use and print for yourself; do not share or sell the files or printed parts. Licence terms · Print commercially or subscribe? Register interest

Description

With this template you shape the ballast bed and substructure to the standard cross-section: lay it across the finished track and drag it along the ballast or the filler. One side shows a cutting with a ditch, the other an embankment.

  • All dimensions of the standard: crown width, formation, cess, ditch bottom and depth, height to rail top, slopes 1:1.25 (ballast) and 1:1.5 (earthwork).
  • Rests on the rails, a tongue between them keeps it centred; every height therefore counts from the rail top.
  • Cutting with ditch on the right, embankment on the left: turn the template round for the other side.

In the set per scale:

  • Z: crown b 16, formation c 28, cess d 3, ditch e 2 / f 2, height h 4 mm; ballast crown 1.6 mm below rail top (derived)
  • N: crown b 22, formation c 38, cess d 5, ditch e 3 / f 3, height h 6 mm; ballast crown 3.6 mm below rail top (derived)
  • TT: crown b 28, formation c 50, cess d 7, ditch e 4 / f 5, height h 8 mm; ballast crown 4.8 mm below rail top (derived)
  • H0: crown b 38, formation c 70, cess d 9, ditch e 5 / f 6, height h 10 mm; ballast crown 4.4 mm below rail top (derived)

Scales: One variant per scale: Z (1:220), N (1:160), TT (1:120) and H0 (1:87).

Dimensions: Dimensions taken from NEM 122 (2007 edition). The height of the ballast crown is not given as a number in the sheet; it follows from crown width, formation, cess, height and the 1:1.25 ballast slope (4.4 mm below rail top in H0) and thus matches the sleeper top. If your track sits higher or lower in the ballast, adjust the shoulder accordingly. How accurate it turns out depends on your printer, and our part has not been tested on a layout yet. Print the free check gauge first to see in advance whether clearance and distances suit your setup.

Material: PLA is enough because the layout stays indoors; PETG works too. 0.4 mm nozzle, ideally 0.12 mm layers, no supports.

Not a toy. Model-making accessory for model railway hobbyists aged 14 and up; contains small parts that can be swallowed, keep out of reach of small children.

Dimensions

Width105 mm
Height5 mm
Depth20 mm
Weight (printed)4 g
Layer height0.12 mm
Walls2
Infill15 %

Dimensions of the default variant in print orientation.

Material and temperature

PLA is enough for gauges and structural parts (0.4 mm nozzle). For small details use resin or a 0.2 mm nozzle. With resin: wear gloves, follow the resin manufacturer's instructions and cure the parts fully.

Print orientation: Lying flat.

Safety notice

Not a toy. Model-making accessory for model railway hobbyists aged 14 and up; contains small parts that can be swallowed, keep out of reach of small children. Not a toy. Model-making accessory for model railway hobbyists aged 14 and up; contains small parts that can be swallowed, keep out of reach of small children.

Not an original part. No affiliation with the manufacturers named; brand and model names only indicate fitment.

What's included

You get one ZIP for the version you choose, with:

  • STL – print-ready mesh
  • 3MF – with print profile
  • STEP – editable in CAD
Files per version
VersionContainsPrice
Z (1:220)bahnkoerper-querschnittslehre_z.stl, bahnkoerper-querschnittslehre_z.3mf, bahnkoerper-querschnittslehre_z.step€1.50
N (1:160)bahnkoerper-querschnittslehre_n.stl, bahnkoerper-querschnittslehre_n.3mf, bahnkoerper-querschnittslehre_n.step€1.50
TT (1:120)bahnkoerper-querschnittslehre_tt.stl, bahnkoerper-querschnittslehre_tt.3mf, bahnkoerper-querschnittslehre_tt.step€1.50
H0 (1:87)bahnkoerper-querschnittslehre_h0.stl, bahnkoerper-querschnittslehre_h0.3mf, bahnkoerper-querschnittslehre_h0.step€1.50

Printing

  1. PLA (or PETG), 0.4 mm nozzle, 0.12 mm layers, 2 walls, 15 % infill, no supports.
  2. Lying flat.

FAQ

Which material should I use for this model railway accessory?

Recommended: PLA (alternatively PETG). PLA is enough for gauges and structural parts (0.4 mm nozzle). For small details use resin or a 0.2 mm nozzle. With resin: wear gloves, follow the resin manufacturer's instructions and cure the parts fully.

Do I receive a printed part?

No. You get the print files and print the part yourself or use a print service. You get the download link right after payment.

Does it work before laying track?

For the substructure yes, if you rest the template on two strips at rail-top height; it is easier with the track laid.

Does the part carry current or work?

No. Nothing in this range carries current; detail parts are dummies.

Reviews

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    Version 1.0.0, updated 5 November 2026 · SKU MB-TRACKBED-GAUGE

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