Flextrack Radius and Direct Wiring

[Anonymous]

Want to know if the minimum radius for HO Flextrack would be 15" or greater? Also is it better for train operation to direct wire the power source to the track?

[Anonymous]

Flextrack really itself doesn't really have a minimum radius, it's just that whatever that minimum radius is impossible to use for any equipment to operate on. I don't know what type of trains you intend to run but I'd use 15" radius at the minimun, even this radius will make it all but impossible for anything but the smallest locomotive's and cars to go through the curve. As to your wiring question that's fine if all you ever want to run is one train (unless you are using DCC). However, depending on the size of your layout you may need to add other power leads around the layout which I really recommend since track joints tend to lose some of the conductive ability over time (always it seems when your running your best train in front of all your friends). Good luck and may your blocks be clear.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the useful info. I suspected 15" would be too tight. I'll be running SD45 or F3 type engines on a 4'x 8' layout. Other discussions and articles indicates 22" radius might be more reasonable. The various power leads around the track will definitely enhance the running down the line.