Query....I'm new to the hobby and am starting to design a track plan for an N scale layout in a 10' x 10' room. So far I have not seen any mention about curvatures for flex track. How tight a radius can flex track be safely used? Thank you all for input/suggestions, etc.
You could probably put your flex track in a curve tighter than most equipment could negotiate. The preferable way to lay flex track is to use the widest curves that your space will allow. The trains will run better and look better, too. Your 10'x10' space will give you plenty of room, in an around-the-room style, for broad curves that should allow you to run almost anything available in N scale. If you've already decided on the type of equipment which you're going to be running, you could tighten the curve radii, where necessary, to suit.
Wayne
Jeff But it's a dry heat!
I have a 11 x 16 room for my N scale pike, and I'm using 15" radius curves as a minimum on the main.
The 15" minimum seems to be working very well. Even soldering two pieces of flex track, in the middle of a curve didn't present any problems at all.
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
Along the same lines - I'm finalizing an N scale trackplan an have an opinion question.
Would you sacrifice aisleway width from 24 down to 18 inches at the chokepoint to increase the radius of a mainline turnback loop to 15 inches?
Frisco-kid wrote: Along the same lines - I'm finalizing an N scale trackplan an have an opinion question. Would you sacrifice aisleway width from 24 down to 18 inches at the chokepoint to increase the radius of a mainline turnback loop to 15 inches?
The real answer depends on how it makes you and anybody who operates with you feel. The best way to know in advance is to stack some boxes in 2 rows to proposed layout height at the proposed aisle width apart. See how claustrophobic it makes you feel, and whether you can move through with knocking or bumping the boxes with your elbows, wrists, or shoulders. When (not if!) you are sprinting to prevent an imminent disaster on the layout, will you be causing model earthquakes measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale?
As a point of reference - I was not happy with a 25" aisle when I performed a similar mockup in my proposed layout area (I'm 5'10", proposed layout height at time of mockup was 52"). My shoulders and elbows made too many simulated layout strikes. But more than a 25" aisle will torpedo my beloved layout plan. Right now, I'm still debating which way to go.
Fred W
Frisco-kid wrote:Along the same lines - I'm finalizing an N scale trackplan an have an opinion question. Would you sacrifice aisleway width from 24 down to 18 inches at the chokepoint to increase the radius of a mainline turnback loop to 15 inches?
I'd say it depends on what you're doing and what you want. If you're planning on running MU'd SD70's or big steam (say, anything bigger than a light Pacific), then the extra radius might be worth it to you for the look.
I'd be really wary of it, though -- I'd say 24 inches is a minimum for a chokepoint, and any "non-chokepoint" aisleway should be at least 30 inches.
My own layout is a twice-around switching pike, so I'm not concerned with big locos. But I opted for this type of layout because including a turnback loop at either end would have seriously compromised my interior space (aisleway) and access. (Remember, too, the effects of increasing the depth of the layout, as far as 0-5-0 access is concerned!) I'd rather build a gate/bridge/duckunder than feel cramped in my operating pit.
Peter
Thank you all for the input.
My plan is to have 18" radius minimum on a 2 track mainline. I really want to run transition era passenger equipment. I'm sure I'll have some small radius industrial spurs also.
Senn1971 wrote: Thank you all for the input. My plan is to have 18" radius minimum on a 2 track mainline. I really want to run transition era passenger equipment. I'm sure I'll have some small radius industrial spurs also.
N scale at 18 inches will look great! My minimum is set at 16.5, with easements, though most will be wider. Now i just need to get it built!
Frisco-kid wrote:. . . . . . . . . . Would you sacrifice aisleway width from 24 down to 18 inches at the chokepoint . . . . . . . . . . ?
I have a 48" isle width, and a 30" 'choke point' at one area. this has worked out fime. A freind had 24" isles everywhere and they were really a paint to operate in. He has since torn down the layout and his new double-deck layout has 48" isles everywhere. With a 'double-deck' layout you can really 'feel' the choke point.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Senn1971 wrote: Query....I'm new to the hobby and am starting to design a track plan for an N scale layout in a 10' x 10' room. So far I have not seen any mention about curvatures for flex track. How tight a radius can flex track be safely used? Thank you all for input/suggestions, etc.
Don't worry about it because flex track will let you even do curces so tight even a trackmobil couldn't negotiate. Also try to avoid tight aisles and duck unders.
Irv
I wouldn't but then tight spaces are a pain to deal with especially since that's the most likely place for derailments and other problems tend to occur.
Also, avoid duck unders because4 the only ones who will find them convenient are young kids especially if you are chasing them after they've grabbed that very expenisve locomotive or car that can't be replaced.
Me too! I"m building an N scale double track.. separate lines. And have two basic questions. I have read most threads on track radius and understand the importance of going as big as you can. But with two main lines... what is the best distance to place the two sets of track apart? ... For best radius and for looks also. The reason I'd like two separate lines is to have a pulling race between two engines pulling a long load and having the sort of race to the top... and so on. So if you were to have some straight trestle where both locomotives are working hard now, huffin and puffin up a steep grade... what would be a nice uphill grade for a straight trestle and still look somewhat real but accomplish what I am after. Recap: 1. What is a nice distance to place N scale track apart from each other. (For function and athetics) and 2. What is a nice uphill grade for a straight trestle? Thanks!
For good advice on track centers: http://www.nmra.org/standards/sandrp/pdf/s-8.pdf
As far as a grade, 2% is a good guidline for the max you really want on the layout.