distance between walls and track and tracks

[cwclark]

Got a question....What is the closest yet safest distance between the outside rail and a wall and also the distance between two tracks in a curve...i've read that 4" from a wall is safe and 2 1/2 " is a safe distance in a curve and 2" on straight track but i've also heard of longer rolling stock sideswiping passing trains at these distances...anybody have a clue on this issue?..i'll be using radii of as much as 36'" to as sharp as 24" when i lay the track, but also want to get as much railroad i can possibly get in the alloted space...seems like every layout i build i have to move the track because the locomotives always side swipe the wall or sideswipe other trains in curves...Chuck

[orsonroy]

In some areas of my layout (staging yards and a couple of spurs) I've got straight track as close as 1.5" from the center of the tracks. Basically, just far enough away to get a finger inbetween the walls and a derailed car.

On curved tracks, the distance between two tracks should be 2" minimum. Manually check for sideswipe issues between your longest cars before you glue down track though. I've got one picchpoint that I need to relay, where I was checking sideswipe with 50' boxcars. I forgot that I'd eventually be running 80' passenger cars!

On the straight, the spacing can be much closer, so long as you don't need to get fingers between trains. I've got a couple of areas where the track centers are 1-5/8", and haven't had a problem.

[Anonymous]

Chuck
The center spacing on curved track depends much on the class of rolling stock you are running. Check the NMRA recommended practices for the class of equipment you intend on running. The sharper the curve the more overhang the cars will have.

You can only fit a certain number of tracks in a given space, so spacing the track closer won't necessarily allow more tracks. If you are designing your own track plan, then I sugegest buying "Track Planning for Realistic Operation: Prototype Railroad Concepts for Your Model Railroad"by John Armstrong.


As for minimum distance from a wall without trees or building flats, the clearence would be the same as a tunnel wall or track side objects. But that will not be enough where the tangent meets the curve (remember the overhang). Easements on curves are always recommended. Also consider the limitations on modeling wide loads. Stay away at least 3" or 4" from a wall and even more if you will be adding object between the wall and track.

[cwclark]

thanks gary!...by the way..i saw your layout in MR and it is one of the best ever...especially the SP stuff ;) ...you are one heck of a modeler!... i've got enough room to do some wider radii then in the past ..my biggest challenge is going to be the wye and how it will fit into the yard area (I may need to do a backdrop to divide the yard into two different sections because trying to reach across 8 ft of layout to handle a derailment is not a good thing..and one section of the layout where 5 tracks pass each other with one track on a 2% grade desending between them (i think i'll have go over the top of two of the tracks so the rate of desent is lessened... i love long freight trains and too much grade won't do in this particular situation...i own the realistic railroad book..but i'm starting to get the jitters ...saturday i start the benchwork...chuck

[johncolley]

Chuck, clearance for full length 85' passenger cars, the articulated locomotives, and newer freight cars warrants using 2 3/4" centers on your curves, for finger clearance "just in case". Actually you should check the NMRA standards just to be familiar with them and how they relate to various equipment lengths.
One thing to remember when discussing minimum radius we are generally talking main line and the bigger the better. Visible parts from 48" to 72" look really good, On hidden track you can do 30" and 36" no problem. Your service and industrial tracks can go down to 24" radius and still handle the longer equipment. If in doubt, take a piece of plywood and tack down some flextrack to check your equipment for overhang at outer ends AND inside center! ENJOY!