Curves

[Anonymous]

I'm just breaking into the hobby and I am trial fitting and testing layouts to see what I like the best and I have a question about curves. My setup area is a 7' by 5' which is nice and level. [:D] I set up my layout and then run my 7 car setup around at a variety of speeds to make sure the curves aren't too sharp etc and I was wondering if it would be best to angle my track up a few degrees (towards the inside of the curve) to make sure that momentum doesn't carry my train off into derailment.

By the way I'm running N scale [^]

[Anonymous]

I'll answer your question by saying, in my opinion, it is not "best" to angle your track. It is simply a matter of visual appeal. On another forum we've discussed the idea of banking (superelevation) of curves on model tracks. The jury was still out when the thread died off. Some loved the way it looked, some had problems with trains derailing because of it, no one offered any evidence that it improved performance.

The dynamics of model trains differs from prototypical trains. The speed & weight of the two differ and a model train tends to not benefit from superelevation in the way a real train does. The ill effects, I believe, comes from exasperating the tendency of a model train to pull inward to the curve along its length. I think the best you can hope for is that the difference is visually pleasing and that there are no ill effects.

The angle should only be barely perceptable. Forget the curves you see on a NASCAR track. A piece of cardstock stuck under the tie's outer end will be about prototypically correct. If you are interested in trying this, I would suggest shimming the ties and running trains for a while to see if there are any problems. If all is well, then proceed with ballasting.

My opinion is this: As I look at curves in real tracks, I usually fail to see any sign of superelevated curves. Certainly on the back-woods rails of the logging lines I'm interested in, the only superelevations were the results of frost heaves, sloppy grading or wash-outs of the unballasted roadbed.

I think it is only the slightly unusual effect of the banking that appeals to the proponents.

Wayne


Added: Welcome to the forum! When I built my first N Scale layout, I also 8 & 12 year old daughters!

[Jacktal]

Personally,I would save my efforts for setting up flawless trackwork with regular and smooth curves and,even more important,perfectly aligned track joints.The secret of derailment proofing is all there.A friend of mine operates his japanese HST(Kato made) on our club's layout and the thing really sizzles around without ever derailing,that is without any rail banking.

[Anonymous]

I was leaning away from (no pun intended) the idea of "banking" the curves anyway. I noticed that indeed there were a few gaps in my curve track pieces and that was causing a few derailments. A few well placed track spikes fixed that. I am currently roughing my track plan and once I get it all laid out and everything runs smoothly then I was planning on soldering the joints together.

Thanks for all the great advice!