This is basic, but you are new to the hobby. The number is the Diameter of the circle that that track makes.
"O" is the gauge of the track between the two outside rails ---- O-36 makes a 36 inch circle of track (roughly 3 feet) ---- O-72 makes a circle 72 inches in diameter (6 feet). In the long term, try to use the largest circle you can fit in so you can buy larger locomotives in the future.
Don U. TCA 73-5735
Matt: I spent over fifty years in the 'HO' world before moving to the 'O' world. 'HO' stands for more than the gauge. I found out that it also meant "HO", "HO", "HO" like in "HA", "HA". Welcome to the wonderful world of trains. There are no 'fools' on the Forum and no 'foolish' questions. I've learned a lot from my mistakes. (Guess that makes me a genius)
Its ok, this stuff can be very confusing at times. Especially track.
Give me steam locomotives or give me DEATH!
Berkshire Junction, bringing fourth the cry of the Iron Horse since 1900.
If it's a descent hobby shop I'm sure they'll exchange it .... Have I made mistakes ? LOL .... don't ask please .... believe me we all do . Plus and never be shy to ask questions ... there are a few items in my collection I don't even want to think about ..... .......
All Fastrack pieces have the size molded into the underside of the track. You might be able to use O72 and O36 to make a curve. 2 pieces of O72 are equal to 1 of O36 in degree of arc so that 4 O72 with 2 O36 would make a 180 deg. curve.
Make some 036 and 072 curves. Maybe that was a "sign". to O gauge and the forum.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Matt - just think of it as a lesson well learned, as you will proably remember better now. I've a whole drawer full of 'lessons learned'.
Somebody on this forum once stated that a smart person learns from his own mistakes, while a wise person learns from other's mistakes.
We should thank you for making us wiser.
There are some people who use 'spiral' turns on their layouts. They start with a large radius curve, then finish the curve, at least to the mid point, with smaller radius curves. I haven't played with this myself, but since you almost have enough parts, it might be an interesting thing to try.
Matt, At least that is a simple to correct error, wait til you start your benchwork and you forget the Cardinal Rule of Woodworking: "Measure Twice, Cut Once".
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
www.sd3r.org
Proud New Member Of The NRA
Matt, we all screw up once in a while. Unfortunately, mine are too numerous to list. Hope you get your track laid & trains running soon.
Good luck,
Charlie
So if you don't know that i a new to O gauge, well i am about three months new. So the other day i went to the local hobby shop to by some new fast track for my layout. I bought four new curved track pieces. Well i bought three 035 and one 072. Well to my dismay they don't form a curve very well. Well anyway the other day i was just wondering how do i know the difference between 036 and 072. And i was going to ask on the forum. Well instead i get to make a fool of myself.
Have a great day
Matt
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