I know this has been brought up before, but I was just getting ready to lay some flex track and dont want to make a mistake I will regret. My plans are set for an HO scale modern day layout. My main focal point is a yard with an intermodal crane (mi-jack cranes) loading terminal area. I will also have a diesel house and classification area. My main line is going to consist of mostly double track and some triple track areas. What do you guys recommend as far as track spacing goes, both on the main line (turns included) and terminal/yard area?
Also, I am running 6 axle diesels with 53' well cars. What would be the minimum turn radius do you guys think I could use through out the layout? I have a tight corner and was just going to see if I can get away with it.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Shawn.
Try these pages for information regarding track spacing.
http://www.nmra.org/standards/sandrp/s-7.html
http://www.nmra.org/standards/sandrp/s-8.html
Jim - Preserving the history of the NKP Cloverleaf first subdivision.
Welcome to the forums.
Curve Radius rule of the thumb from the LDSIG web page:
http://www.ldsig.org/ldsigwiki/hints-tips/curve_radius_rule-of-thumb
Smile, Stein
I know there are guidelines for track spacing, but I have a suggestion before you hitch your track down. After looking at the recommended radii, take a couple of pieces of flex track and tack them to a piece of plywood. Put the cars and locos that you plan to use on the track and move them through the curves. You may find that though they pass on a recommended radius you may not like the looks of it. This should make it so you do not "make a mistake I will regret."
Good luck,
If you get one of these handy little parallel tools from Micormark or anyone else who sells them your problems will be solved There are groves cut into the tools on either side allowing 2-1/2" or 1-1/2" parallel track alignment. I run everything in my yard at 2-1/2 spacing bu that doesn't mean that it's right for you. I suggest mocking up your yard before you secure the track in place predominantly. I secure the track to the homasote using track nails to makes sure everything lays exactly is way I want it to be. I then mar track location with a sharpie on either side of the rials. I then secure the tracks down with Latex adhesive caulking, solder in my drops, paint and weather the tack and then ballast and add ground cover.
Thanks for all your advise as each of your comments have some very useful information.
RiversideBNSF I know this has been brought up before, but I was just getting ready to lay some flex track and dont want to make a mistake I will regret. My plans are set for an HO scale modern day layout. My main focal point is a yard with an intermodal crane (mi-jack cranes) loading terminal area. I will also have a diesel house and classification area. My main line is going to consist of mostly double track and some triple track areas. What do you guys recommend as far as track spacing goes, both on the main line (turns included) and terminal/yard area?
2 to 2.25 in on the mains.
2 in on the yards
6 in or more in the intermodal yard. or pairs of tracks on 3 in spacing with the next track on 6 in or more spacing.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com