Hello,
I intend to build a 50-ft long indoor G-Scale layout using strictly Bachmann Big Haulers trains.
The layout will have a balloon track at each end and a single main line in between.
One of the balloon tracks I intend to make three loops of track in one balloon for an open staging yard to hold three trains to run on the layout.
The room that the staging will be in I figure I have room to make the inside loop 5 ft diameter the middle loop 6 ft 4 inch diameter and the outside loop 7 ft 8 inch diameter... (Yes diameter not radius)
Does this sound reasonable for clearance to you if I'm going to be running the 2-6-0 the 4-6-0 and maybe a Shay or a Climax from time to time???
(I read that the 2-6-0 and 4-6-0 will run on 5-ft radius so I figure the inside two tracks for those locomotives leaving the 7-ft 8-in radius for the Shay or Climax if I'm thinking correctly???)
Thank you for your thoughts in this!
Blessings!
Will, N3YH
TCA 12-67977
Hi Brass Trim,
just want to ask a few questions to clarify:
1. Is the 2-6-0 the Spectrum or the " mining"(which is the smaller one)?
2. I'm not completely sure I'm following the curvatures. On the smaller scales ,Radius seems to be a standard. Usually Diameter for Large scale .Of course, Diameter is just Radius times 2. So, I want to make sure we're on the same page.
The 4-6-0 will run on 2 foot radius, or 4 foot diameter.
The Shay can possibly run on 2 foot radius, 4 foot diameter, but it really wants a wider curve to run reliably.
The Spectrum 2-6-0 is a Big engine, and needs 4 foot radius,8foot diameter or larger.
The " mining" 2-6-0 is a small engine, and should run on the 2 foot radius, 4 foot diameter.
I have 2 of the Spectrum 2-6-0's,they are beautiful and smooth running engines, but they need the wide curves.
Hope this helps, and makes sense.
Paul
No
I run about 9 inches centerline to centerline in 1:29, you are 1:22, and your track to track will be 8 inches. Your passenger cars will probably hit cars on the adjacent track.
Put a loop together and measure the overhang of locos and your longest car.
Greg
Visit my site: http://www.elmassian.com - lots of tips on locos, rolling stock and more.
Click here for Greg's web site
Will,
Reinforcing Paul's observation on the 4-6-0, it will track beautifully through 2 ft radius curves. The center drivers are "blind" (flangeless) which allows the whole loco' to track beautifully.
While not directly related to your questions, if you have an older 4-6-0, you may wish to upgrade to the most recent chassis. B'mann has sales on them from time to time, and the money (~$50-$75, depending on the sale price) is very well spent. It turned our shelf queen into a family favority.
Aloha,
Eric
P.S. I didn't see that Greg had responded. Please defer to Greg over me on all things large scale!
Yes, I agree, no problem tracking on the curve, just want to be sure you don't have overhang problems and have trains sideswipe each other. The locos should be short enough that the major issue would be the passenger car overhang... I think...
Again I encourage you to mock up a curve and see what the overhang is (also how much cars "cut" the inside of the curve too!).
This is great advice! If you're new to large scale, you may find you are trying to squeeze too much into a small space. The overhang will get you! It makes sense to mock up what you're trying to build, or better yet, make a test loop.
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