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The rub of highly detailed RTR cars
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<p>The Layout Design Special Interest Group published rule of thumbs for the ratio of radius to car length over couplers and the consequences: <a href="http://www.ldsig.org/ldsigwiki/hints-tips/curve_radius_rule-of-thumb">http://www.ldsig.org/ldsigwiki/hints-tips/curve_radius_rule-of-thumb</a></p> <p>Here is the table from the link. The website contains additionally some examples.</p> <p><strong>Ratio</strong> Description<br /><strong>2X</strong> - Some model equipment may be able to track reliably on 2X their length, but this is generally considered pushing it.</p> <p><strong>3X</strong> - Making your curve radius at least 3X the length of your longest cars gets reliable tracking around curves, but looks toylike.</p> <p><strong>4X</strong> - If you make your curve radius at least 4X, your longest cars will look much better on curves.</p> <p><strong>5X</strong> - If you make your curve radius at least 5X, your longest cars will couple easily with minimal manual fiddling of the couplers.</p> <p>This measurement is based on the length of your longest car (coupler to coupler).</p> <p>In another publication two more ratios were given:</p> <p><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 21 false false false DE X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <![endif]--></p> <div style="margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';"><strong>2.5 x</strong> - Most equipment will track reliably if everything is of similar length.</span></div> <p><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';"><strong>3.5 x</strong> - Equipment will look less toy-like when viewed from inside the curve</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';">Perhaps these results of the LDSIG help with the selection of the proper cars.<br />Regards, Volker</span></p>
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