Fairing Track Kit

[Rithsom]

So here is something different, a fully functional track kit! Because fairings can be built extremely long, I decided to try use them as rails.

The Rail Car that drives along this track uses 12 small wheels that clamp to the fairings much like a roller coaster. Two jet engines push the Rail Car either forward or backward, which are toggled with the 1 and 2 action groups respectively.

 

Build your own!

First, launch the Track End (A) craft. Drive this piece to somewhere flat, such as the KSC grounds. Make sure there are no hills or any bumpy terrain behind the Track End, as that is where the entirety of the track will be.

When you arrive at the flat location, slow down and stop. Click the Brake action group, and then press G twice to extend the landing legs. When the legs are fully extended, stage.

You will automatically be in control of the Track End piece. click the Brake action group one more time to retract the airbrakes.

When done, switch to the rover and recover it.

Next, launch the Track Segment craft.

The SRBs are used to keep part count low.

Do not use the brakes to slow down with this piece. Doing so will cause the rover to bend violently. Instead, use the S key to slow down.

Line up with the back side of the Track End.

Drive slowly into the connectors and stop when the connection looks like this:

It is now safe to click the Brake action group. After that, press G twice, wait for the legs to deploy, then stage.

You will be in control of the Track Segment after staging. Click the Brake action group to retract the airbrakes.

Switch to the rover and recover it.

Next, launch another Track Segment craft and repeat the last few steps. Keep launching and connecting Track Segments until you are satisfied with the length of the track.

Now, launch the Rail Car craft and drive it to the open end of the track (the end opposite of the Track End).

Line up with the track and drive slowly onto it.

When all of the Rail Car's wheels are on the track, click the Brake action group and stage.

Switch to the rover and recover it, as was done with the Track End and Track Segment rovers.

Go back to the Rail Car and move it up the track. Click the Brake action group and press 1 to engage the forward moving engine. Drive it far enough forward so that it is not on the last Track Segment piece. This step will make connecting the next piece much easier.

Next, launch the Track End ( B ) craft and drive it to the same end of the track that the Rail Car was driven onto.

As was done with the Track Segments, line up with the track and drive slowly into the connectors.

Click the Brake action group when the Track End is properly positioned, and press G twice.

Stage, switch to the rover, and recover it.

The track is now completed, but you can add an optional piece to it if you wish, the Boarding Platform. The Boarding Platform is used for boarding and disembarking, as the name suggests.

Launch the craft and drive it to anywhere on the Rail Car's right side of the track.

Make sure the Platform isn't too close to the track, or the Rail Car may hit it. Make sure it isn't too far away either, otherwise the Kerbals will miss the Platform when climbing down.

This is a good distance:

The track may fall apart, in fact it's very likely to fall apart. There is only so much you can do without actually connecting the tracks via docking ports which, unfortunately, can't be attached to fairings.

.craft Downloads

Enjoy!

Edited December 13, 2015 by Rthsom

[Mad Rocket Scientist]

Incredible! Nice work! +rep

[Starwhip]

Whoah, this is really nice!

[Kagame]

Genius. I'm going to have a bit of a play with it and see if I can get docking ports attached to the fairings. I use a really silly trick when I need a 2.5m interstage fairing for a 1.25m rocket that should work for this...

[Rithsom]

Thanks for the rep, guys!

I have thought about using claws rather than docking ports, because they can grab fairings. They would create a nasty bump in the track, though.

Genius. I'm going to have a bit of a play with it and see if I can get docking ports attached to the fairings. I use a really silly trick when I need a 2.5m interstage fairing for a 1.25m rocket that should work for this...

I would love to see your solution!

Edited July 6, 2015 by Rthsom

[stardog573]

Brilliant idea

[Yukon0009]

Brilliant.

[RAINCRAFTER]

This looks awesome! Now just make one with hills in it, and the universe will be 100% satisfied with you.

[Caracar]

That is just awesome!!!

[Jakalth]

Now, if you could get them connected securely... SRB powered test sleds for launching kerba... I mean testing heat shielding... would work nicely with a track like this.

[Rath]

I'm thinking of tilting a really long one 90 degrees and using it to help launch spaceplanes.

[Rithsom]

I'm thinking of tilting a really long one 90 degrees and using it to help launch spaceplanes.

I still haven't found a solution to the loose connections, but I would like to see what you could do.

[Rath]

Or maybe a early cruise missile launcher track.