Basic Design questions

[Anonymous]

This is right up my alley. I can't tell you the number of times that I've been asked that question. Unfortunately, there are as many ways to answer your first question as there are different ways to ask it. I can help you with your second question. A Bachmann can take anything as tight as 4ft. diameter. I think that it is 5ft. for the Bachmann shay.

[ttrigg]

QUOTE: Originally posted by iandor

Why do you North Americans only think about industrial or mining set ups, surely you can stretch your imagination and think about the something more original and pleasant.

I like to run passenger trains, as well now as goods (freight) trains and surely you could consider something like I have done and that is produce a pleasant layout through which you would like to travel ypourself.

Would you rather see your trains go through these bleak landscapes or through pleasant scenery with flowers, decorative scenes of gravel and pebbles etc.

From the many North American model railways I have seen photographs of, they just about all seem to be just clones of each other. This is not to say they are not very good layouts with some outstanding and extensive work going into them.

My advice is to give your imagination a go and try to do something quite different, you will reap the rewards i can tell you.

Rgds Ian

Ian:

We're going to need an inventory of your drug cabinet.

Why do you North Americans only think about industrial or mining set ups,
The entire reason for having a train be it 1/1 or 1/360 in to move people and freight. In the 1/1 world things are done to make money. You are not going to make money if you do not move freight and people and have a destination to where they want to go. In the ½ to 1/360 world things have a tendency to look better if you have some place to deliver the people and freight. Mining operations (I have none in GRR) are a great source of "unit trains" for those of us who have a penchant for running long trains. Industrial operations require the movement in and out of goods, thus a reason to put in a train.

Would you rather see your trains go through these bleak landscapes or through pleasant scenery
Bleak landscapes?????????? Until you have lived in the desert you have no concept of bleak. I have as yet to see anyone running their trains in a sandbox, everyone has some form of vegetation or ground cover. In my case the section out through the wife's prize wining roses, have as scenery, her roses , the area under construction obviously has no vegetation on it, but it will. Miniature trees and assorted low growth ground covers.

North American model railways I have seen photographs of, they just about all seem to be just clones of each other
I do not recall seeing any real similarity between the different GRRs here in N. A. We all have exactly one thing in common, a pair of rails wandering off somewhere. I seem to recall something like that in yours, or was I mistaken when I thought you had a GRR?

My advice is to give your imagination a go and try to do something quite different
I may be a 'dumb yank' but at least I've got the gumption to build a ninety degree tunnel under a water fall. AND IT WORKS, unlike someone whom we shall not name who has a tough time with a straight one.

As HJ put it so succinctly:
Some of us don't "Tip-toe through the tulips" nor do we play ukulele. [:D][:D][:D]

BTY: This time the highlighting is shouting with pride as to the quality of roses my wife can grow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[van buren s l]

Ian
Americans put a great deal of thought and effort into modeling industrial and mining railroads for the sole purpose of keeping you pissed off.
Bob

[tangerine-jack]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vbsltco

Ian
Americans put a great deal of thought and effort into modeling industrial and mining railroads for the sole purpose of keeping you pissed off.
Bob

Too true.

What I don't understand is why some readers of this forum don't expand their thinking outside of LGB and Australia. Don't the nameless ones realize there is a wider world outside of their own window? Certainly you can't deny different cultures have different opinions and viewpoints, customs and styles? Not all railroading is a clone of Europe, and I'm sure most Europeans have little idea about the variety North American short lines, as most North Americans don't know much about European rail. Common sense dictates that a certain person will post topics related to whatever railroad that interest that individual. Name calling them "unimaginative" for always talking about one railroad is in itself ignorance manifested.

The same goes for model brands. While there are some that exclusively run only one brand, many others have a variety of equipment from very good manufacturers. Simply trying to solve a problem by stating "buy brand X" only shows that the individual making that comment does not understand the problem, or lacks the knowledge or skill to come up with a useful solution. Certainly we must realize that if a problem lies with "brand A" the it is within "brand A" technical aspects that a solution will be found. Do you buy a new car when you have a flat tire?

If a magazine, book or forum fails to have a topic of interest to you, then it is up to YOU to post something of interest instead of relying on others to do your thinking. I'm totaly facinated by Troy's current lighted tram topic, I'm hoping he posts more on the subject so my ignorance can be cured. Calling me or all Americans ignorant won't solve the problem, sharing your knowledge (if in fact you have any) will.



[oX)]

[Tom The Brat]

(Ian lives in Australia, so I imagine he has a pretty good grasp of the concept of "Bleak." )

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Torby

(Ian lives in Australia, so I imagine he has a pretty good grasp of the concept of "Bleak." )

Torby, [;)][;)]

Australia, bleak??
Empty in places, perhaps. Bleak hmmmmmmmmm I don't think so.

But we all look at landscapes in a different way. [;)][:)]

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Chompers

I'm probably going to regret this but..........

2 years ago, i read that "the purpose of a model train is for the users pleasure" so if iandor likes twisty "s"bends in a small space, then his railway is doing its job. if you like long coal drags pulled by 6 dash- 9's, then you run them!!!!!!!!!!!

lately there hasn't been 1 new topic in which everyone hasn't tried to mock iandor or tried to get into a fight.


Thats how i see it!

Perhaps. OTOH his posts have been an open invitation for just such comments. It isn't the height of summer yet in Queensland, but the heat sure took its toll, or at least that's the impression. [;)][:)][;)]

Of course he can run R1 S-curves, the more the better! He can level the track any way he likes. It is his GRR!
It is his "please serve me up the solution while I chuckle at you silly North Americans" that does it.
Being a Canadian by choice I take exception to that, more so since Ian talks through his hat as often as not.

[Anonymous]

Shay and Climax will work on the 4 footers, the Heisler though does need the 6er's , its drivetrain is too long for the 4 footers and will bind up...at least thats the warning I got.

I have the Hiesler ,and it has absolutely no problem with R1 curves. I have checked the travel on the trucks and there is still alittle bit of travel left on R1's. My track is just laid out on the grass so it is by no means smooth and level. The Hiesler handles it like a champ. It actually derails less than any other loco I have. The only time it has ever derailed was pulling 15 cars up an aprox. 4% grade with a R1 curve at the top. The front axle derailed.

[grandpopswalt]

Capt,

A little help here please. Since I’m not of the Euro persuasion I don’t understand exactly what an R1 curve is. I assume it means, R = radius and
1= 1meter. So R1 = 39” radius curve?

Thanks

Walt

PS.

Do you happen to know what the effective radius of a #4 turnout is?

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by grandpopswalt

Capt,

A little help here please. Since I#8217;m not of the Euro persuasion I don#8217;t understand exactly what an R1 curve is. I assume it means, R = radius and
1= 1meter. So R1 = 39#8221; radius curve?

Thanks

Walt

PS.

Do you happen to know what the effective radius of a #4 turnout is?

Walt

R1 = 600mm (2ft). This is a designation from LGB.

#4 turnout approx. 52"

Hope that helps.

PS Before someone asks "How did you arrive at that??", since I use CADrail http://www.cadrail.com for track planning it is a three minute job to construct the respective tangents and then fit the radius which stays clear of the frog intersect.[;)][:)][:D] CAD does have an advantage! If one wants considerable tangent section ahead of the frog then 46" would be OK.

If one uses the dimensions given in Paul Mallery's "Trackwork Handbook" the dimension would be 42" (scaled from the dimensions of the American Railway Engineering Association).

[Rastun]

Walt,

The R1 is 600mm so just a touch under a 2 foot radius.

Now the other question I couldn't tell you for sure, and I'd hate to say the wrong thing.

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by capt_turk

Shay and Climax will work on the 4 footers, the Heisler though does need the 6er's , its drivetrain is too long for the 4 footers and will bind up...at least thats the warning I got.

I have the Hiesler ,and it has absolutely no problem with R1 curves. I have checked the travel on the trucks and there is still alittle bit of travel left on R1's. My track is just laid out on the grass so it is by no means smooth and level. The Hiesler handles it like a champ. It actually derails less than any other loco I have. The only time it has ever derailed was pulling 15 cars up an aprox. 4% grade with a R1 curve at the top. The front axle derailed.

Thanks for the info, now I know![:D]