I could not find info on this topic on the forum. Happy to take direction if it is. Thats anothe problem; everytime i search the community, Iwindup at MR, which usually doesn't hwve what i want; they know nothing about zw's and growler motors. They're missing out!
Anyway, in a cramped area of my layout, i wanted some sidings with curves sharper than 027, so i tried the following which seems to be working out ok. I took 2 curves, 027, and screwed them to a piece of 1/2 plywood. then i took a piece of gargraves track, and pushed it into the inside of the curve, up against the ties, slowly, and screwed the track down on the plywood, as I said, inside the 027 curves. All screws are between the middle rail and the outside rail. thats where I am now. My plan now is to cut a piece of 1/4 plywood to the curvature of the middle rail and screw that piece of plywood to the gargraves from above, with the screws going into the ties between inner rail and center rail. If i Now unscrew the gargraves from the 1/2" plywood, i can pick up the curved gargraves piece, held in place on the 1/4 plywood, trim the ends as needed, and place onthe layout, still at desired curvature, and screw down through holes originally used to screw the gargraves to 1/2 plywood. Voila--a custom bent curve, better than my handbending usually is, installed on the layout.
of course, this limits you to diameters approx 3" tighter than commerically available material, but for me, in this situation, i think it will be very good.
any comments gratefully welcomed
another thought to create transfer piece in 1/4 plywood. I believe if i lay out a triangle from ends of full bend, and the midpoint, those screws will hold it. so I dont have to worry about cutting around a curve following the middle rail. 3 straight cuts easier than a curved cut on jig saw. I can lay out my triangle so it leaves the outer side of the curve accessible to drive permanent track screws thtough.
TARGET IS A 624 SWITCHER . Which is inconveniently out for repair of slider shoe, so i cant check, but i am hopeful! track not yet installed, but ready to be, perhaps this pm.
Let me get my mind around this. Lionel never listed 4 or 5 engines in the 027 section, 027 has been the de-facto minimum radius for all the rest of their stuff (and other manufacturers). Berkshires were never listed in the 027 section.....and you can't get your Berk to go through 027 switches....and now you're making tighter curves?
Valid for dockside and trolley lines, I suppose.
Use an upside down 5-gallon bucket and you can get 18" or so diameter curves.
stuartmit TARGET IS A 624 SWITCHER . Which is inconveniently out for repair of slider shoe, so i cant check, but i am hopeful! track not yet installed, but ready to be, perhaps this pm.
Switcher. Swing of coupler in openings? Swing of spring-centered coupler past swing of truck? Interesting. Can't wait to hear how this works. You may need a coupler extender. Seen them used dockside in Charleston Navy Yards 50 years ago.
NAVFAC-P-301-Railway-Operating-Handbook.pdf
Re berks, my thought process went like this:
my 773 does run through 1122 switches.
the berk problem is with leading pony wheelset, not, repeat not, the 8 driving wheels. Something there seems not right. Also, seem to recall Bob Nelson has said he runs a 773 through 027 curves.
thnks for your bending suggestion.
Track installed, 624 retrieved and able to negotiate tighter than 027 curve.
triumph!
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