Curves

[Anonymous]

I am new to model railroading. Could someone explain to me what are the differences between R-1, R-2, and R-3 curves. Thanks

[Tom The Brat]

Has to do with the diameter of a circle. R1 is just under 4ft diameter. R2 is about 5ft. R3, I think is just under 8ft diameter.

Generally, you want the biggest curves you can fit[;)]

Welcome to Large Scale!

[Anonymous]

Curves are very interesting and before you get into it too far you must consider the grades as well, they will both slow you locomotive up and this would be the sum of the two together. As i have said elsewhere you need plenty of traction, to overcome this.

In my area 1; I have 15 R1 curves going in all directions in 20 metres of track. It is truly a pain in the butt, but i have had no choice due to room available.


Rgds Ian

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by sasha441

I am new to model railroading. Could someone explain to me what are the differences between R-1, R-2, and R-3 curves. Thanks

Sasha

The "R" designation stems from LGB's parlance.

R1 = 600mm Radius

R2 = 765mm Radius

R3 = 1175mm Radius

The radius is measured from the center of the circle to the theoretical centerline of the track. There are some confusing explanations around - some even from LGB - where they measure the circle to the outside of the ties and other "creative" methods.

The above listed measurements are as they have been listed for many years and in many consecutive LGB catalogues.
As mentioned: the larger the radius, the better......... errrrrrrr I mean it is less likely that you'll be upset with yourself for not anticipating that large engines and rolling stock require larger radii.
At least if you like to run things instead of squeezing them through really tight curves.[;)][;)][:)]

[John Busby]

Hi RhB_HJ
It actualy goes back too before most of us if not all of us where born.
And has nothing to do with dimentions as such as every manufacture
does it differnt.
It literaly means and has nothing to do with LGB they just use it like many other manufacturers.
R1 First Radius
R2 second Radius
R3 Third Radius
Always check the manufactures radius or diameter stated in the catalogue
for the simple reason I have seen it quoted as 14&5/8" and many other dimensions as well including the ones most of us are familier with.
regards John

[markperr]

Aristocraft, another mnanufacturer of brass track for garden trains specifies their track using standard measurements versus metric and they list their track by diameter size. Their sizes are 4, 5, 6.5, 8, 9, 10, 11.5, 12.5, 14, 15, 16.5, and 20 ft diameters. To many, that may seem like overkill in the variety of sizes offered but to me it just means more options for laying track (which is a GOOD thing)

Being new to garden railroading, you will have much information to absorb over the coming months and years. There will be people who will tell you that such and such manufacturer is the only one to buy from. They may have an ulterior motive that is unknown to you. Keep asking questions here on the forums. It's the best way to get as much information as you can.

BTW, my personal preference leans to Aristocraft track. The reason being is that I personally feel that there is virtually no difference between LGB and Aristo, in fact, they are pretty much cross compatible if you use certain types of railclamps. Where I see the difference is in my wallet. Aristocraft track is far less expensive than LGB when compared by the foot, and that difference widens at this time of year when Aristocraft offers their annual five boxes of track for the cost of four. You can go their website at www. aristocraft.com and select "consumer sales and special offers" from the menu on the left. They will give you all the details there.

Mark

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by John Busby

Hi RhB_HJ
It actualy goes back too before most of us if not all of us where born.
And has nothing to do with dimentions as such as every manufacture
does it differnt.
It literaly means and has nothing to do with LGB they just use it like many other manufacturers.
R1 First Radius
R2 second Radius
R3 Third Radius
Always check the manufactures radius or diameter stated in the catalogue
for the simple reason I have seen it quoted as 14&5/8" and many other dimensions as well including the ones most of us are familier with.
regards John

Hi John,

Even I start to believe that it is LGB's system. [;)][}:)][;)][:)] For no other reason than how often R1 gets mentioned.
As Mark mentioned Aristo designates by diameter, but even that gets interesting. So for me when someone mentions R1 it is automatically 600mm radius when we're talking 45mm track gauge. [;)][:)][;)]

BTW since I have a preference for flextrack, I find R1 and such a bit of a pain in any case.

[John Busby]

Hi RhB_HJ
I prefer the R system but thats only because I am used to it
I am fully qualified to state R1 is a pain, in my ignorance at the time I was dumb enough to use it.
When I could probably have used R3 but definatly R2.
I think I will do a bit of measuring for stage three and see if some of them
20' diameter curves that markperr was talking about will fit in.
Once stage three is done I might be able to re do stage one with something a bit bigger than R1
regards John

[kimbrit]

A note for anyone joining the hobby. The only R1's you should ever get are from an LGB starter set, which are absolutely fantastic value for money and have got many of us started in this. All of LGB's loco's go around this radius, the majority look stupid doing so, but other manufacturers loco's won't look at them. Buy a starter set, enjoy it, then expand into the big curves, personally 8' diameter minimum. And yes, I agree about Aristo track, those little bolts are a bugger but they give great electrical continuity and strength.
Cheers,
Kim

[grandpopswalt]

Ian, old son, welcome back, you've been missed.

I think R1 curves in yard areas are perfectly appropriate. However I think that anything smaller than 10' - 12' diameter curves on the mainline just will not look right. Also, #4 turnouts in the yard are O.K. but on the mainline, they should be #6's.

Walt