the best radius for g scale

[Anonymous]

hi[:D], I am new at starting with g scale trains, I have been using lionel O scale for some time and know some of the basics. When I saw G scale the first time I really thought nothing of it, but now I want to get into it. So my question? I pertty much have most of my layout finished on paper but just like lionel there seems to some picks on the radius's of curves. I would like to know if there is one radius that is perrty much standerd to run most of, if not all the trains? I have a perty big back yard, it is just over 60ft long and 30ft wide I wanted to use a C style layout going around the back walls and having a loop at the opposite ends of the yard. My first pick was to use a 10' diameter (5'radius), but I am not sure? The brand of the track that i am going to use is the USA track if that helps. I did some research but unlike lionel most of the trains did not tell me what the minmum radius they could use, I am planing on using most desiel trains, I dont plan on running much steam engins.
thanks.

[ondrek]

This post would probably better answered in the Garden Railways forums....I would suggest you post it there.

I will also say this...
I am going G scale outside as well....if i can ever get the backyard the way it needs to be.....anyhow, 10' dia is a great one to pic. any desiel engines out there will easily navigate that. the USA trains Desiels i have seen had a dia minimum of 8'.
the Steam engines will vary as to their dia needs. What you might want to do is get an idea of exactly what engines you figure you will be running desiel and steam and find out what dia they require.
10' should do just fine though.

My layout plan was using 5', but I think I will be going and getting a box of 8' USA curves myself.

Good luck, and I hope you get further along better than i have, 4yrs I have had track and engines for the garden layout, and its still not been started.

Kevin

[Texas Zepher]

The first issue is that there G is has become a gauge rather than a scale. G-gauge track is used for several different scales:
1:20.3 called Fn3 by NMRA 3' Narrow Gauge (Bachmann Big Haulers)
1:22.5 LGB European Prototypes
1:24
1:29
1:32 #1 Gauge
http://www.nmra.org/standards/S-1_2StandardScale.html[url]
[url]http://www.nmra.org/standards/S-1_3DeepFlange.html

Based on which one of these you've choosen is going to determine the "best" radius.
For example if you've chosen 1:29 scale than a 54" radius would be the equivalent of an HO 18". If you've gone with 1:24 than a 65" radius would be the same equivalent.

LGB is all designed to go around a 1200mm curve (about 4' diameter). I run my 1:20.3 Bachmanns around 5' diameter circles OK because that is all I can fit inside. But, I really like the 10' diameter (60" radius). That seems to be where the locomotives start looking more normal instead of kinked and toy like.

In general, it is always "best" to use the largest possible.

[Anonymous]

thank you for that info. this was my first post, but now I know. After a strong and carefull look at what I was doing, I have deceide that I will be going with the 10' diameter for my run. Once again thank you and I will be posting some pics as I start my project.
thanks Eman