what does " mean when describing a track radius? is it pronounced inches or degrees?
For model RR layout plans, it's inches, because that's a radius.
The prototype measures curves in degrees, where that " is recycled with a different meaning.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
In model railroads you would say an 18" radius a 24" radius or a 36" radius.
Real Railroads use degrees, but then it would not be a radius.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Russell
We measure our curved track radius in inches. I suppose we could use degrees like the real railroads, but I don't feel like doing all that surveying.
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-Kevin
Living the dream.
Hey uemjg!
Welcome to the forums!!
The symbol " is used to indicate inches. It is a commonly used symbol, not just for track radius. Likewise, the symbol ' is used to indicate feet.
Cheers,
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
This fourm is used to find answers and solutions to our model railroading, don't be afraid to share even the smallest problem. we are here to help!
You did not say what scale or gauge...........Scale model railroading in every scale refers to radius. Hi-rail or O gauge (tin plate such as Lionel, MTH, whatever) is about diameter. Other wise a 36" radius in O scale would be in tin plate an 36" circle or an 18" radius. Confusing? somewhat, but in time not so.
HZ
And yet, in the garden railway world (G Scale), we commonly label curves as to their diameter. Go figure.
nycmodelAnd yet, in the garden railway world (G Scale), we commonly label curves as to their diameter.
Does that mean that garden railways only go in circles?
Just yanking your chain, it is odd though. Maybe due to the size of the scale? Do real railroads use radius or degrees or? Now I'm wondering about this....guess it's time to goggle it!
Randy
Oh yeah, welcome uemjg
So Umemig; where do you live?
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
HO scale. Houston, TX
Rusteespikes nycmodel And yet, in the garden railway world (G Scale), we commonly label curves as to their diameter. Does that mean that garden railways only go in circles? Just yanking your chain, it is odd though. Maybe due to the size of the scale? Do real railroads use radius or degrees or? Now I'm wondering about this....guess it's time to goggle it! Randy Oh yeah, welcome uemjg
nycmodel And yet, in the garden railway world (G Scale), we commonly label curves as to their diameter.
I suspect it's because LGB labeled their track this way for some reason?
hon30critterThe symbol " is used to indicate inches. It is a commonly used symbol, not just for track radius. Likewise, the symbol ' is used to indicate feet.
Well, except that they are also used to measure minutes and seconds in the engieering, and navigation worlds.
° - degrees
' = minutes
" = seconds
I've been involved with model railroading since 1989. I went with N scale due to lack of space.
Welcome to the hobby!...
And in G or large scale, it depends on the track, some is done by Diameter and others by Radius. But its really a moot point. Just take the radius and double it to get the diameter. Radius = half circle, Diameter is full circle when measured straight accross. Also, some track is marked in Metric to add to the confusion. But there are plenty of online conversion sites that automaticly do the conversion, just plug in your figures. 22 inch radius curved HO scale track is your typical larger radius used on a 4x8 foot train layout, and 18 inch radius for an inside loop if desired. With flex track, you can make any diameter you want. In larger scales like G, it takes a rail bender you mount in a bench vise to bend the rail. Mike
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome