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My understanding of the way curves are measured in terms of degrees is this: <br /> <br />The degrees measurement refers to the degree of bend in the track within 100 feet of run. This is how it would get built, since you have surveyed out a straight (tangent) track centerline, then to begin your curve you string a line out 100 feet, swivel the surveyor's eyepiece to the correct degree, and mark the spot. Move the equipment to the new spot, align it based on the chord (straight-line segment between points on a circle) you just laid out, and then swivel a few degrees again and mark your spot 100 feet out. <br /> <br />Model railroad curvature usually comes in around 100' to 300' in radius, in scale feet. If you measure a 100' long chord across your curve, you'll see the degree of bend is probably over 45 degrees. For real railroads, curvature approaching 10 degrees was considered severe!
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