With changing from HO gauge to O gauge , is a 4' x8 wide enough for the curve?? Crampy fingers and hands made this necessary. O gauge fits hands good to put wheel sets on track. The length of the layout is 15 feet so that is no problem. This forum has been helpful in the past . B&C rr. will roll again.
Respectfully Cannonball
Y6bs evergreen in my mind
Curves in 3-rail are usually named by their DIAMETER, rather than their radius. Also, the diameter is most often measured to the outer rail, not to the center (though there are exceptions). So, an O-42 curve (about 21" radius) will fit neatly on a sheet of plywood. Basic Fastrack is O-36 (18" radius; this one is measured to center, I believe). Pre- and Postwar trains were made to run on either "O-Gauge" (meaning O-31) or O-27 curves. When dealing with trains of this era, or "Traditional" (i.e., not scale) modern ones, a useful rule of thumb is: Six-axle diesels, 8-driver steam engines and big Hudsons (e.g., 773) require O-31 curves. F3s theoretically run on O-27, but the fuel tanks kiss the housing on the old switch machines. Everything else should run on O-27 just fine. For newer, more scale items, you will want to check the catalog: it should tell you the minimum diameter (not radius) the piece will run on. O-42 curves will allow you to run all "traditional" sized engines, and also some scale items that take liberties with, for example, pilot wheel size or engine-tender gap. Obviously, the larger your curves, the better your train will look on them.
The nominal diameter of tubular track is measured to the outer ends of the ties, not to the outer rail. O27 is exactly 27 inches. O31 (or O30) is 30 1/2 inches. Lionel has made several slightly different O42 curves.
Later Lionel F3s with vertical motors have no problem with Lionel O27 turnouts. They moved the center bearings closer together.
Bob Nelson
IF I could do it all over my minimum radius would be 54. O31 works very well but bigger is better!
Jon
So many roads, so little time.
nickaix lionelsoni jonadel gentelmen ; thank you very much indeed. The info is very helpful and will be put to use on the new layout. You folks have a good thanksgiving.
Respectfully, Cannonball
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