Track sizes....Metric vs. Imperial

[kyboy227]

Hello again!

Here I am with another question.  It appears the last question I asked....and made a typo....opened a whole new "can of worms".  I hope I do not cause that again.....HOWEVER...

I read several of the posts about curve radii and then decided to attempt to purchase some curve track.  When I went to the many hobby shops that are LGB dealers, I found that the track is listed in metric sizes......so confusing!!!

Could someone please tell me what size (metric) track I need for a 3' radius curve or a 4' radius curve, etc.  Is there some place where I can get a chart or article to explain this mess?  Also,, does anyone know how many curve pieces I would need to make a 1/4 curve in different radii?

....S O    C O N F U S I N G....

I am beginning to think I should have stayed with my n-scale layout...

 

[ttrigg]

Could someone please tell me what size (metric) track I need for a 3' radius curve or a 4' radius curve, etc.  Is there some place where I can get a chart or article to explain this mess?  Also,, does anyone know how many curve pieces I would need to make a 1/4 curve in different radii?

I am beginning to think I should have stayed with my n-scale layout...

There are about 39.3 inches in a meter.  48 inches divided by 39.3 gives 1.221 meters.  To avoid all the headaches and confusion I would suggest using "flex" track instead.  Bend it to fit what you want, also since it comes in 5 ft (or longer) sections there will be a bunch fewer rail joints.  Each rail joint provides the possibility of either being "picked" by a wheel causing a derailment, or failure of electrical connection, which will cause "end of fun".

Nothing says you have to play with only one size of train!  I also enjoy my N Scale, I've even broken out the Z Scale a few times.  Enjoy both the large stuff and the small stuff.

[altterrain]

Ky,

I would not worry too much about LGB track as its not currently being manufactured, though that may change in the future They also had an odd system for their track size. I'm not an expert but its something like - 

R1 - 4 foot diameter (approximately)

R2 - 5' D

R3 - 8' D

R5- 13' D

Large scale track is usually listed in diameter and not radius like the smaller scales. Other manufacturers of large scale track include AristoCraft, USA Trains, Llagas Creek, AMS, etc.

-Brian 

[cabbage]

You don't have an entry for where you are in the world -but give your time zone as GMT(!) If you are actually in the UK then you will understand the problems this poor immigrant from a 3rd world country has understanding the Imperial system...

Currently I am starting building equipment in Gauge 3 -all the books for this scale/gauge combination were written in the 1920's. The information is extremely good, and totally Imperial.

I have a small "widget" calculator on my MACOS X desktop that converts the information I need into a format I can understand. Having been raised in a strict centimetre, gramme, second environment -I find that I am still having to convert it to see what it "really" is. I am now in my 50's and I came to England when I was 14. My first thoughts on stepping out of the aeroplane on the June day was "My God -aren't the winters in England COLD!!!"

regards

ralph

[kyboy227]

Thanks all...for your comments and help.

 As mentioned, I do still enjoy my N-Scale trains but can not take them outside....and I have a new grandson who will really enjoy the BIG trains.

Again, thanks for the help!

[kyboy227]

You don't have an entry for where you are in the world -

I have no idea HOW to get to where I can place my "where in the world".

To help with that matter, my name is Hank and I live in Barbourville, Kentucky USA, in the heart of the southeastern coal fields of Kentucky.  Barbourville is located about 30 miles north of the point where Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia intersect.

I have fond memories of my childhood when I got the opportunity to ride a passenger train from Barbourville to Corbin, KY (22 miles NW of Barbourville).  It was pulled by a steam engine...on the L&N (Louisville & Nashville) railroad.  I have watched the disappearance of the L&N into the Seaboard System....and now CSX.

These days, the big Dash engines (2-3 engines) roll through here headed northbound with 100-unit coal trains 4-5 times daily.

My hobbies are Model Trains, Antique Farm Tractors, and Fire Trucks.  I have been a volunteer fireman for 37 years and enjoy collecting toy fire trucks (http://www.ky24ihc.org/TFT) .  I am the President of the Kentucky Chapter of International Harvester Collectors this year (http://www.ky24ihc.org) and spend all my other free time on my model railroads.

Questions???  Just ask!

Hank - Barbourville, KY USA 

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Good show there Hank!   It really will help to have that info when answering many questions!

A good place to start is up above with the beginners forum; reading a lot of that stuff may well answer a lot of your questions!   Just perusing the conversations on here will also be immensly helpful!