Lynn
Present Layout progress
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/p/290127/3372174.aspx#3372174
- Mark
QUOTE: Originally posted by 2021 Many articles in Model Railroader often suggest a divergence from dead straight if you have a long run (probably 10' or more). Some say to make a plausable reason for a variance such as a small hill, a body of water, a valley, a rock formation, etc. This supposedly gives the impression of a longer run and adds realism. Just another opinion. Ron K.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Take a Ride on the Reading with the: Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/
QUOTE: Originally posted by snickbuilder That depends on what type of terrain you are trying to model. If you are trying to give the impression of a mountain railroad, then I feel that all track, even "straight" track, should have some degree of curvature to it. If, on the other hand, you are trying to model the flat lands of the midwest, southwest or New Jersey, then make your straight track straight as an arrow. Like artists, we model railroaders are trying to represent a much larger reality in a confined space. Often we need to subtly exaggerate those elemets that reinforce the image we are trying to convey to our viewers. Cheer, George
QUOTE: Originally posted by Leon Silverman Here is something else to consider if your layout is located in a room that is subject to temperature and humidity variations and your plywood is not sealed against moisture absorption. The unsealed plywood will expand and contract with temperature/humidity changes. On a long straight-a-way, this can cause either the rails to break away from the ties or the track to kink and bend out of shape. A very slight curve on a straight away will allow the track to adjust to this roadbend length variaton without any ill effect since the track will either straight out or curve slightly more to adjust.