Clearance question for Lionel "0"

[Anonymous]

Could someone please advise what is the recommended clearance from side to side, and the vertical clearance from railhead to underside of structure, for Lionel trains on straight track ?
I refer to such openings as tunnel portals, or through truss bridges that have top bracing. Thanks in advance & regards,[:)]
Mike

[Anonymous]

Could someone please advise what is the recommended clearance from side to side, and the vertical clearance from railhead to underside of structure, for Lionel trains on straight track ?
I refer to such openings as tunnel portals, or through truss bridges that have top bracing. Thanks in advance & regards,[:)]
Mike

[lionelsoni]

I use 2 7/8" for track spacing on centers. Some Lionel stuff is built to scale in width, like the F3s, Train Masters, GG1s, and big Hudsons. Prototypes are no more than 10'8 wide, so 2 3/4" should be enough, but that makes no allowance for a little rocking from side to side.

However, it is necessary to allow for overhang at the curves where such tightly-spaced tracks come together. This isn't a problem in a yard throat, where only one track is active at a time; but it could be for two adjacent main lines. What I do is to make a very gradual increase in the separation, using straight track, which is amply flexible for this even with tubular track, before putting a significant curve.

Another consideration is the few cars, like cranes, that have some unusual protrusion, like a crank. Obviously these have to be excluded if you use such close spacing.

Check out the topic "Vertical separation between levels in an O layout" for advice on height.

[lionelsoni]

I use 2 7/8" for track spacing on centers. Some Lionel stuff is built to scale in width, like the F3s, Train Masters, GG1s, and big Hudsons. Prototypes are no more than 10'8 wide, so 2 3/4" should be enough, but that makes no allowance for a little rocking from side to side.

However, it is necessary to allow for overhang at the curves where such tightly-spaced tracks come together. This isn't a problem in a yard throat, where only one track is active at a time; but it could be for two adjacent main lines. What I do is to make a very gradual increase in the separation, using straight track, which is amply flexible for this even with tubular track, before putting a significant curve.

Another consideration is the few cars, like cranes, that have some unusual protrusion, like a crank. Obviously these have to be excluded if you use such close spacing.

Check out the topic "Vertical separation between levels in an O layout" for advice on height.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Bob, for the good info and such a rapid reply.
Much appreciated.
regards / Mike

[Anonymous]

Thanks Bob, for the good info and such a rapid reply.
Much appreciated.
regards / Mike

[Algonquin]

Hi Mike,

Required track separation will depend on the minimum radius of the curves and how large the equipment is you will be running on it.

Sharp radius tinplate track generally requires about 4-1/2" to 6" between center rails to provide clearance for train overhang. The tighter the curves, the more overhang from the equipment. If you will be running 031 track with some of the larger new equipment available you will want to maintain closer to 6" seperation. Most Postwar trains (Lionel's Trainmaster being the largest) generally only require 4-1/2". I use wider radius 072 tubular track on my layout with 4-1/2" seperation. I run some of the biggest modern equipment with no problems. A bigger problem is maintaining enough spacing from the outside of the track to accomadate equipment overhang at tunnels and other structures on a layout.

I would recomment tacing your largest equipment and running it on a pair of your tightest curves to see how much spacing will work for you. Remember, If you plan to buy larger equipment in the future, you will need to allow the separation for it.

Regards,

Tim Pignatari

[Algonquin]

Hi Mike,

Required track separation will depend on the minimum radius of the curves and how large the equipment is you will be running on it.

Sharp radius tinplate track generally requires about 4-1/2" to 6" between center rails to provide clearance for train overhang. The tighter the curves, the more overhang from the equipment. If you will be running 031 track with some of the larger new equipment available you will want to maintain closer to 6" seperation. Most Postwar trains (Lionel's Trainmaster being the largest) generally only require 4-1/2". I use wider radius 072 tubular track on my layout with 4-1/2" seperation. I run some of the biggest modern equipment with no problems. A bigger problem is maintaining enough spacing from the outside of the track to accomadate equipment overhang at tunnels and other structures on a layout.

I would recomment tacing your largest equipment and running it on a pair of your tightest curves to see how much spacing will work for you. Remember, If you plan to buy larger equipment in the future, you will need to allow the separation for it.

Regards,

Tim Pignatari

[Anonymous]

Thanks Tim, your input is appreciated.
The curve issue is why I specified "on straight track '' in my original question post.
I am not actually a modeller in tinplate 0, I am a custom builder of wood structures.
I am currently designing some modular truss bridges to fit the same basic "0" roadbed I use for my trestle kits, and wanted to be sure I built in enough side and top clearance without overdoing it.

Also I am partway through a custom wood coal tower for a friend, and I apparently got lucky with it. I used an H0 Plasticville-Bachmann model as a pattern, and scaled up the dimensions using an 0 \ H0 rule. The clearance width came out to 2 7/8"....
This seems fine for spotting a hopper, [ per Bob's post ], but I'm leaning toward a 3 3/4" or 4" width on the bridges.
Thanks for the info regardless, there's no such thing as too much information.
Best regards
Mike

[Anonymous]

Thanks Tim, your input is appreciated.
The curve issue is why I specified "on straight track '' in my original question post.
I am not actually a modeller in tinplate 0, I am a custom builder of wood structures.
I am currently designing some modular truss bridges to fit the same basic "0" roadbed I use for my trestle kits, and wanted to be sure I built in enough side and top clearance without overdoing it.

Also I am partway through a custom wood coal tower for a friend, and I apparently got lucky with it. I used an H0 Plasticville-Bachmann model as a pattern, and scaled up the dimensions using an 0 \ H0 rule. The clearance width came out to 2 7/8"....
This seems fine for spotting a hopper, [ per Bob's post ], but I'm leaning toward a 3 3/4" or 4" width on the bridges.
Thanks for the info regardless, there's no such thing as too much information.
Best regards
Mike

[Anonymous]

I built a yard with 3 1/2" track spacing, and found that there are still a few engines and cars that collide - e.g. heavyweight passenger cars with marker lights, and some of the scale steamers.
As far as height is concerned, don't forget about today's double-stack container cars! They might be the worst case.

[Anonymous]

I built a yard with 3 1/2" track spacing, and found that there are still a few engines and cars that collide - e.g. heavyweight passenger cars with marker lights, and some of the scale steamers.
As far as height is concerned, don't forget about today's double-stack container cars! They might be the worst case.