another min radius question

[Anonymous]

OK, I know, not another minimum radius question.

I have a minimu area to work with, went with "N" scale for that reason. I would really like to a track that loops (so my son can just let it go and watch it go round and round and round and round and round. The kit that I purchased was from Bachman and came with 19"r-15d curves and I purchased some extra 12"r-30d curves (track with roadbed buit in). I bought another loco, GP-38 I think.

What is the minimum radius for the track running freight diesels? Do they make anything less than 12"r. Any info is appreciated. Thanks guys.

Jeff (dad) & Jensen (son)

[egmurphy]

I can't speak to the track that has the roadbed molded in, but regular sectional track (as made by Atlas) comes in 9-3/4" radius and 11" radius. I would suspect that any diesel made by Bachmann would be able to negotiate either one of those.

Most of the curves on my N scale layout are 9-3/4" radius. I wish I had room for larger radius curves, but hey, you have to work with the space you have.


Edit: Just checked and Bachmann Ready-Track is available in 11-1/4" radius (if you wanted to stay with the molded in roadbed). It's their part # 44801.


Best regards

Ed

[dgwinup]

Just a quick look on the internet shows Bachmann track available in 19" and 11.75" radii.

Atlas makes track without roadbed down to 9.75" radius. Your GP38 would work on this track, but would look much better on even the smaller Bachmann track.

Using flex track, you can design any radius you want. You will sacrifice mostly looks and some performance using smaller radius track.

With what you already have, I would use the 19" at the beginning and end of a curved section and the smaller radius for the rest of the curve. This describes an 'easement', a more gentle transition into a tighter radius curve. You locos and cars will perform and look better with this arrangement and you will save a little space by not using all 19" radius throughout the curve.

Hope this helps.

Darrell, quiet...for now

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the good info guys. I really appreciate it and my son soon will. Thanks again.

Jeff

[dickencr]

I have collected quite a number of examples of small N Scale track plans in the Atlas (.rts) format, including a few that I created. I ahve the same problems with space, so I started looking several years ago and found q pretty wide selection. The run from 2' x 3' to 20' x 23' and everything in between.

For those that don't know the (.rts) format, it's the Atlas Right Track Freeware available on their site.

Send me a return email address and I'll zip them up and send them along.
[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Does anybody know if Bachman has anything smaller radius than the 11-3/4"? Thats all I found. The bachman web site didn't have a whole lot.

Is there an adapter to go from the bachman brand to the atlas brand?

Thanks.

Jeff

[Anonymous]

30 years ago I started N scaling with a Bachmann set with 7 and 1/2 inch radius curves! Pretty funny! Anyway, back to practical things, I would go to the Bachmann web site to the section called "Ask the Bachman". Lots of good answers there, or check the inventory of online stores than sell Bachmann track. Good luck.

[sleeper33]

why not use flexi track? alot better than set curves

[Anonymous]

I know, I know. For know I am trying to get a track laid out for my son's xmas present. Hopefully in the coming years, we will build a layout partially from scratch. I do appreciate the comments though. Thanks.

Jeff