What size radius do you run?

[dbaker48]

Obviously everyone would like to have a garden or 1 scale layout , but what size layout do you run. The reason I am asking is I am planning a layout with 1 mainline with 72" capability, and planned on the rest being 31". To mazimize operating and switching capability. However as I look at other "desirable" engines a lot of them require 42".

So, my question what is the most popular radius from all you guys that are in the Know.?

Thanks

[Jumijo]

Don,

I only run O27 trains on a 4' 5" wide table, so our layout uses 36" FasTrack curves.

Jim

[FJ and G]

"Obviously everyone would like to have a garden"

------

Yep, 012 (that's 12 feet dia.). Would have been wider but for the ole apple tree. (O gauge)

[Anonymous]

Is there a limit? Anything from minimum to 180 degrees.

Bigoak Runs Z through 1/124.

[Dr. John]

I have used and will use again the following using O-27 track:
O-27
O-34 (Marx curves)
O-42

[cnw1995]

Only 027 and a few 'customized' curves - I cut and bent the rails a tad either way. This limits me to short-wheelbase engines and cars. For example, my MTH searchlight car with 3 axle trucks doesn't quite make it around my 'custom' curves.

[laz 57]

I'm using 0-27 track and have 0-27 curves,0-42 curves 0-54 curves also have an area with fasttrack with 0-36 and 0-48.
If I had to do it all over would have designed with0-72 and worked my way back.
laz57

[spankybird]

IT's all 027 with 027 curves.

[fwright]

Outer loop on my 4x8 is half 042 (027 height to go with my MPC draw bridge) and half O31. I did that because trains coming down the grade from the bridge didn't like to stay on 027 curves at kid speeds! Inner figure 8 is 027. If I had more space, I would go with 031 minimum, although I do like the looks of the Atlas track and 036 switches. But I still need tubular track in places for my postwar accessories. The locomotives that need 042 and better are out of my price range so I don't need to worry.

yours in toy trains
Fred W

[Big_Boy_4005]

For me, it's nothing less than 072 on the mainlines, and nothing less than 054 anywhere on the layout.

[mickey4479]

My minimum is 072, Atlas except for 4 short spurs where I run a B6s switcher. I have one section of main where its 081 Atlas and a couple of areas where I have relaxed 072 curves with 081 pieces. I like old PRR steam and the Lionel K4s and M1a locos I have require 072 as a minimum. It does eat up real estate but then I have more opportunities to scenic.

My first layout was a 5 X 9 layout with 036 Atlas track. I had a siding along one long edge, a reversing loop and spur. I really enjoyed that layout as a start and my first steamer (MTH 2-8-0) could handle the 036 diameter curves. There are times when I just need to make some saw dust and I think about that design with some tin plate trains. But I have more than enough to handle.

[jimhaleyscomet]

My previous portable layouts were all 027 curves and switches with an outerloop of 031.

In my most recent layout I have a large L shaped table. My switches are mostly MTH 042. My curves are 054 except the turnarounds on the ends, they are 031. I plan to hide the 031 ends in tunnels to avoid seeing large overhang of passenger cars.

Jim H

[tschmidt]

My curves are only 054. I didn't have room to go any wider. It does limit the size engine and cars I can buy but there are plenty of choices up to 054. The turnouts are 054 and 072.
TomS

[corton]

On my 5x8 table I run an Atlas 054 outside loop, with an Atlas 045 inner.

[lyle_styles]

I have 031 curves except in the yard that uses all 027 track and switches.

When Bryant outgrows the Thomas the Train layout, then we will be able to upgrade to larger curves to handle the big stuff cause we'll have plenty of room for those large sweeping curves that make the trains look even better.

Lyle R Ehlers

[Anonymous]

My minimum on my new layout will be 72", with 81" curves on the outer main. Even the sidings and spurs will have 72" curves laid, as I like to run big stuff. Luckily, I'm being handed the whole basement of our new addition!! I have warned my fiancee what this means, but she INSISTS that I make a layout!! You just can't beat that!

Bob Blomberg

[Birds]

O-31 tubular curves and O-31 switches.

If I were to start over again, I would seriously consider going with O-27.

[Roger Bielen]

For my outer loop my limiting diameter is an O68+/- S-curve. The remainder on that loop are O72 give or take. I used flex track so I made my curves to suite. My inner loop is O64, same criterea.

[Anonymous]

All my track is traditonal 031 tubular. Outer loop - 054, inner loop 042, yard and reverse loops 031. Swiches are 022, K-line 042, and some wonderful old #711s on the outer loop passing track. I run everything form early O tinplate to modern 027 equipment. I have one scale PA that needs 042.

Old 2037

[guilfordrr]

I use completely Lionel traditional 0-31 tubular, though on future layouts I plan to go wider.

[Anonymous]

Mine is fastrack 072 and plan to get 086 for my Acela and Big Boy 4006. Pus if it's wider it tends to make the trains look more realistic when they turn in my opinion. The smaller the turns are the more the edges of the loco. or cars stick out.

[dwiemer]

Using fastrak and some pw O27. So mostly O36 and a little O48, O52.
Dennis

[DCmontana]

042 outside loop connected by 022 switches with an inside loop of 031 on a five by twelve layout. I plan on going to a 7 X 21 pike in the future and with 072 on the outside loop and a minimum of 042 on the inside, but that is down the pike so to speak.

I use tubular track know, but will probably switch when I build again. I like my sons fastrack with his Thomas set!

[Anonymous]

Corton mentions he uses Atlas 054 curves on a 5x8 outer loop, are Atlas 054 & Lionel 054 the same size ?. I have a 5x9 & would like to use Lionel tubular 054 curves on the outer loop. Is this possible & would I have to do any cutting to make it fit?.
Thank You,
Rozy

[traindaddy1]

Hi! I use the basic 'old' tubular O-27. It fits my limited layout space AND my budget. Thanks for asking.

[LL675]

I run Lionel tublar O27 track. I run Lionel Pre?postwar steamers to a MTH RailKing Pennsy M1a.

Dave

[lionelsoni]

12.5 inches.

[Buckeye Riveter]

O-42

New switches are 0-72, so that I can go full blast through the cross overs.

[Anonymous]

I've always had O27 when I started out in the younger years. Then I started getting O gauge track with O31 curves.

Once I get my engine layaway purchases paid off, im gonna get more track, especially switches. I gotten some O72 curves recently and I plan to buy more soon. I also like the realistic turns on those curves for the locomotives and the longer cars that I have. The wider the better I think.

Chris

[mitchelr]

I started with 0-27 track and switches then changed over to 0-31 tubular track and PW 022 switches.