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Easements and "S" curves

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  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Alexandria KY
  • 470 posts
Easements and "S" curves
Posted by Zandoz on Friday, May 20, 2005 4:35 PM
Given opposing 24" radius curves, with the tangent end of the easements meeting to form an "S" curve. What is the minimum straight track between them to minimize the "S" curve bug-a-boos?

Reality...an interesting concept with no successful applications, that should always be accompanied by a "Do not try this at home" warning.

Hundreds of years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...But the world may be different because I did something so bafflingly crazy that my ruins become a tourist attraction.

"Oooh...ahhhh...that's how this all starts...but then there's running...and screaming..."

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Culpeper, Va
  • 8,204 posts
Posted by IRONROOSTER on Friday, May 20, 2005 6:26 PM
The length of your longest car / locomotive that you will run over the track. In HO running the longest equipment this will be about 12 1/2 inches. Also a crossover track forms an S curve also, which is why you want to use bigger turnouts there. John Armstrong's book "Track Planning for Realistic Operation" covers this and other issues.
Enjoy
Paul
If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Santa Fe, NM
  • 1,169 posts
Posted by Adelie on Friday, May 20, 2005 7:10 PM
The effect of the S cruve will be less because of the easements, but I'd still try to maintain the same minimum that you would without the easements. Better to be safe by using a conservative design.

- Mark

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Alexandria KY
  • 470 posts
Posted by Zandoz on Friday, May 20, 2005 9:07 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Adelie

The effect of the S cruve will be less because of the easements, but I'd still try to maintain the same minimum that you would without the easements. Better to be safe by using a conservative design.


Normally I'd be conservative, but in this case I really am between a rock and a hard place....A rock wall and a steel support column....LOL. If I can squeeze this in, there'll be a chance of +-12 feet of additional main line.

Reality...an interesting concept with no successful applications, that should always be accompanied by a "Do not try this at home" warning.

Hundreds of years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...But the world may be different because I did something so bafflingly crazy that my ruins become a tourist attraction.

"Oooh...ahhhh...that's how this all starts...but then there's running...and screaming..."

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 20, 2005 9:19 PM
I'd think about cheating down on the radius, especially since you have easements, to get a little longer tangent between the curves. Hopefully that will reduce the jerk of the S curve. Of course, I haven't built a thing, but I've started at the pictures a lot!
One day there will be a plan.
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: In the State of insanity!
  • 7,982 posts
Posted by pcarrell on Friday, May 20, 2005 11:51 PM
I otta go with Zandoz on this one. Drop the radius, use easements, and throw in a section of straight track that is as long as your longest piece of equipment.

P. Carrell
Autumn's Ridge Railway & Navigation Co.
Philip
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: In the State of insanity!
  • 7,982 posts
Posted by pcarrell on Friday, May 20, 2005 11:53 PM
OOPS... gotta go with Zandoz....

P. Carrell
ARR&N
Philip

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