What is the NMRA standard for minimum space between parallel tracks in HO from centerline to centerline?
Very difficult to find this stuff on the NMRA site.
Thanks in advance.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
NMRA Standard S-8. Here is the link:
http://www.nmra.org/standards/sandrp/s-8.html
Jim Bernier
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
jrbernier wrote: NMRA Standard S-8. Here is the link:http://www.nmra.org/standards/sandrp/s-8.html Jim Bernier
Thanks a lot.
My point exactly: why was this so difficult for me to find?
cheers,
I'll play.
Why couldn't you pick the "Standards and Conformance" link? and then the Standards link?
Roger Hensley= ECI Railroad - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/eci/eci_new.html == Railroads of Madison County - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/ =
Hi!
I'm a long term NMRA member and applaud their issuance of standards and thank them for their leadership in the hobby!
Their spacing/clearance standards are great, but one must remember these are "minimums". I personally start out with those spacings, but almost always have widened them. There are two primary reasons for this, one is to assure more adequate clearances of longer cars on curves, and the other is to allow the ol 0-5-0 "switcher" to access cars on crowded sidings and yards.
Put another way, start with the NMRA standards and "go wider" as needed to fit your personal preference. Trust me - been there, NOT done that!
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
I tend to agree with Mobilman on this subject. Close clearance on straights look good from above. But like he said the 0-5-0 needs room and also for flat switching yards you may want read car numbers or have wide loads.
Our module standards in the club is the 2 outside mains have 2 inch space and the third main is a 3 inch space that makes it easier for switching.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
If you use the same radius for both inside and outside curves, the spacing will be greater in the middle of the curve than at the ends.
This example uses 30 inch radius.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Phoebe Vet wrote: If you use the same radius for both inside and outside curves, the spacing will be greater in the middle of the curve than at the ends. This example uses 30 inch radius.
You can get the same result by using concentric curves, but making the spiral easements to the inner track longer and giving them a greater offset.
Some specific dimensions, modeling in 1:80 scale:
This has the advantage that there's no reduced clearance 'pinch point' at the place where the curves meet the tangents.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
rogerhensley wrote: I'll play.Why couldn't you pick the "Standards and Conformance" link? and then the Standards link?
I guess I just find the stands a little difficult to navigate.
thanks again