HO cars and curves

[Mchavez215]

Is there a recommended minimum radius for different car lengths? I am planning my first layout and have shorter rolling stock and longer passenger cars. I want to make sure the longer cars don't derail around curves. Is there a chart of osme type that specifies car lengths related to mimimum curve radii? Thanks!

[jrbarney]

Mchavez215,
Since this is your first post, welcome to the forum.
I think you will find the answer you're looking for in a Recommended Practice from the National Model Railroad Association. Here is the link:
http://www.nmra.org/standards/rp-11.html
After you've read that spend some time looking at some other features at the NMRA's site. I'm assuming you may be a beginner, so you may want to look at the Beginner's page for one:
http://www.nmra.org/#beginner
Good luck.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[AggroJones]

[#welcome]

What kind of radius' do you have?

Generally cars 40'-50' are okay on 18". Anything longer and you may have a problem. Athearn passenger cars are an exception. They look stupid doing so, but can handle 18" radius. Most old freight cars will work fine.

Standard length passenger cars (85') should be run on no less than 22".

The wider the curve, the better.

[Anonymous]

W E L C O M E A B O A R D!
The Walthers HO passenger budd cars require 24" radius

[IRONROOSTER]

Welcome to the board. I would recommend you follow the nmra guidelines that Bob referenced above. While it is true that some rolling stock will (particularly passenger cars) have been built to operate on sharp curves, not all have and you would limit your future buys if you use sharp curves. Of course if space is limited and sharp curves are all you can manage, then that's what you do. You just have to live with the limitations.
Enjoy
Paul

[CP5415]

Mchavez215 welcome,
Most everything will work on 18"curves. As was said by AggroJones 22" or wider curves would be better but you have to decide if they will fit for what you want to do.
I started with 18"curves but then went to 22" to fit certain cars.
The Walthers passenger cars do "recommend" 24" curves but they will work on 22" curves, 18" curves if going slow. I have first hand knowledge with the last two curves with these cars.
You can buy 22" radius curve track pieces from Atlas. This will help you if you want a true curve radius so that there arn't any kinks in the curves.

I hope this helps.

Gordon

[Anonymous]

The less sharp your curve the better it will look....

Sometimes they just look weird going around a curve that looks to sharp to be realisitc.

The more sweeping your tuns are the better your trains (especially the longer ones) will look going around them.

[Anonymous]

Welcome Aboard!!!I'll just back up everyone else who recommended the NMRA Standards link, But wanted to say welcome[#welcome][#welcome]!

[Mchavez215]

[:)]THANKS EVERYONE!!! Thanks for the welcomes too! The NMRR RP-11 Standards were EXACTLY what I was looking for! My layout is "recycled" from a friend of mine in San Antonio - who lost interest. I have been adding to his layout and changing things around, but got the "baggage cart" ahead of the "iron horse" (too much excitement and too little patience). I've known for some time I'd have to take apart some of my work, but this time, I thought it best to get some good advice. My rolling stock varies from 4 3/4" (about 34 ft.) -- I'm guessing at a conversion of 7.2 to get from inches to "HO feet" -- to 6 1/2" (roughly 47 ft). The passenger cars are Athearn U.P. and are about 9 3/4" (about 70 ft.). These passenger cars were the ones I was concerned about, and my plans have them rolling into tight spaces at the station. I have lots to learn, but trains are my passion, so I am very excited! Will be posting lots more.
-Mark (in Omaha)