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Need help with track planning

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  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Need help with track planning
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 18, 2004 9:54 PM
Well, I've had it with 18" track and derailments. Today I decided - no more :)
So I need advice - how many 22" standard tracks are required to make 90 degree turn. Alternatively - how much is needed for a complete circle ?
This will help me to plan how much I need to buy.

Thanks !
  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: California & Maine
  • 3,848 posts
Posted by andrechapelon on Saturday, September 18, 2004 10:03 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by dimastep

Well, I've had it with 18" track and derailments. Today I decided - no more :)
So I need advice - how many 22" standard tracks are required to make 90 degree turn. Alternatively - how much is needed for a complete circle ?
This will help me to plan how much I need to buy.

Thanks !


Atlas 22" curves are 22.5 degrees per section. It takes 4 for a 90 degree curve, 8 for 180 and 16 for a full circle.

Do you have room to go to an even wider curve?

Andre
It's really kind of hard to support your local hobby shop when the nearest hobby shop that's worth the name is a 150 mile roundtrip.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 18, 2004 10:07 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by andrechapelon

QUOTE: Originally posted by dimastep

Well, I've had it with 18" track and derailments. Today I decided - no more :)
So I need advice - how many 22" standard tracks are required to make 90 degree turn. Alternatively - how much is needed for a complete circle ?
This will help me to plan how much I need to buy.

Thanks !


Atlas 22" curves are 22.5 degrees per section. It takes 4 for a 90 degree curve, 8 for 180 and 16 for a full circle.

Do you have room to go to an even wider curve?

Andre


Hey Andre,
Yes I do have plenty of room, but I didn't find larger radius track.
Can you advice who makes them and where I can get it preferably online as there are no LHS in my area.
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 18, 2004 10:30 PM
Atlas has 24" radius Code 83 track, but generally you should switch to and use flextrack for your curves. That way you can make whatever radius you like and have room for.
  • Member since
    April 2003
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 18, 2004 11:03 PM
Yep, atlas indeed has 24" track in code 83. I actually have flex track, but it is pain to work with to make sure each and every point is not bent too much.
So 24" it is !
BTW how many 24" do I need to make 90 degree turn ?

Another question - are there any locos or rolling stock that won't go on code 83 ? What about european engines Roco or Brawa ? I've just preordered some :)
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 20, 2004 9:01 AM
I can't find the answer in the Atlas catalog, but I *think* the 24" radius pieces are the same arc as the 22" radius ones, so it should take 4 to make a 90 degree turn. But don't hold me to it if I'm wrong.[;)]

Pretty much anything made in the last 20 years or so shouldn't have a problem with Code 83. Don't know for sure about the european stuff, but I'd be surprised if it did have a problem with Code 83.
  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Elgin, IL
  • 3,677 posts
Posted by orsonroy on Monday, September 20, 2004 10:21 AM
Don't just look at Atlas code 83 track. If you MUST use sectional track for curves (and flextrack really IS cheaper & easier to use), look at Bachmann EZ Track. They make curved sections up to 33-1/2" radius! Yes, the track comes attached to roadbed, but you could always take the track off the plastic roadbed for use. Alternatively, you could always buy one package of 33-1/2" radius track, and use it as a template to lay in curves of 31.5" and 34.5".

Ray Breyer

Modeling the NKP's Peoria Division, circa 1943

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