Hi guys,
A quick question which I have been pondering for some time - where is the radius of a curved track measured to, i.e. when the radius of a track is described as (say) 24'' is that 24'' to the inside rail or the middle between the two rails?
Thanks
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The stated radius (in the specification block of a published track plan, for example) is measured at the track centerline. For proof, put together a semicircle or full circle of 18" radius sectional track and lay a yardstick across it.
That does not mean that it isn't possible to 'fudge' a little to make your tracklaying easier. After determining that the flex track I'm using has 28mm ties, I've taken to marking my radius at 624mm - 24 inches plus 14mm (1/2 the tie length.) It's a lot easier to line up the ends of the flex track ties on a clearly visible line than it is to try to find the centerline - especially under a layer of grey latex caulk.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)