HO & N gauge question quick question

[jonadel]

A friend would like to know what the smallest radius is on N gauge and I don't have a clue. Knowing that there's an answer here I'm asking for your help. Currently he has HO but is thinking about N. Here's his question:

Do you know what radius you can operate N gauge track, how small can you go and still get by with it?

Thanks for your help.

Jon

[alexweiihman]

better post in Model railroader forums

[willpick]

The smallest radius in is 9.75". Okay if using 0-4-0, 4-4-0 steam, small diesels(SW's, etc). most N gaugers don't go below 11" radius, I personally used a minimum of 15".  If he uses the HO radius of 18", 22" the curves in N will look really neat, and he could run the large articulated steam, or the large SD70's, etc.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Jon,

You are about ready to go on that big trip.  Are you going to post a blog?

When I did HO, the minimum radius was 18", but I used 22" for smoother operations.  I even made my own switches with Code 83 Rail.

[jonadel]

Thanks guys for the info. This is one of my older brothers friends but I think I need to get him out here to see the "advantages" of O gauge. I remember him from over 50 years ago, he and my brother were big "hot rod" guys. In fact, my brother is buying another "street rod" as I type this.

Buckeye--the trip for me starts one week from today when I travel to St. Paul, I will trailer my bike up to my son's home. We leave on Saturday for 6-7 glorius days heading north towards Duluth and then into Canada, Michigan, Wisconsin, Michigan, Wisconsin and finally back to Minnesota. The trip planning began in January (and thanks to your ideas) we are ready. It's been a tough week for my son in St. Paul as he works in downtown MPLS but all is well, he is ready to be away as am I. I sure hope we don't have cell phone coverage :)

Jon

PS--I really would love to do a blog but neither of us has a laptop. I will, however, do a journal every night and give it to him just before I head back to Iowa. I did that last year on our short trip and he treasures it, something about hand writing makes it even more personal.