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parallel track widths

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Friday, August 26, 2016 9:06 PM

LION pits majyck marker at an outside corner of an 85' car and runs it through the curve.  Him move the marker to the middle of the car to measure the inside curve.

If your lines cross your cars will crash.

 

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 10,582 posts
Posted by mlehman on Friday, August 26, 2016 8:10 PM

cuyama
Note that is only for very short equipment (what the NMRA classifies as "Class II").

Byron,

I agree, some extra slack in curves that tight is a good idea. But the question was what was the NMRA standard? I figured the details were worth reading the whole enchilada.

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern CA Bay Area
  • 4,387 posts
Posted by cuyama on Friday, August 26, 2016 7:20 PM

mlehman
For HO 18" R, the NMRA standard calls for 2 3/16".

Note that is only for very short equipment (what the NMRA classifies as "Class II"). I'd personally go wider with 18" curves, more like 2½" (or even a skoche wider), since most folks run bigger equipment than "Class II", even on tight curves.

Byron

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Friday, August 26, 2016 7:04 PM

I don't know about the NMRA standard, but my double mainline is 2" on center for straight track and 2 1/2" on curves. My curve radius is 30" and 32". No problem with 85' cars.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 10,582 posts
Posted by mlehman on Friday, August 26, 2016 6:07 PM

For HO 18" R, the NMRA standard calls for 2 3/16".

Details here: http://www.nmra.org/sites/default/files/standards/sandrp/pdf/s-8.pdf

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

  • Member since
    October 2010
  • From: Vancouver, WA (SP&S country)
  • 109 posts
parallel track widths
Posted by Capt. Brigg on Friday, August 26, 2016 6:03 PM

What is the recommended distance, center to center, on parallel straight and curved tracks? My cars seem fine at 2" on straight parallel track but curves will have hang over especially on 18" curves in the yard. Is there a NMRA standard? Thanks for any information or links. Capt. Brigg

Capt. Brigg Franklin
USCG Licensed Marine Officer
Certified crazy train chaser
CEO: Pacific Cascade Railway

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