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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. <br /> <br />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. <br /> <br />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. <br /> <br />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. <br /> <br />I think it is only the slightly unusual effect of the banking that appeals to the proponents. <br /> <br />Wayne <br /> <br /> <br />Added: Welcome to the forum! When I built my first N Scale layout, I also 8 & 12 year old daughters!
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