mikesmowers wrote: I have several N scale Atlas curves that are 19 1/2'' from center to center when assembled into a half circle. Are these going to make a tight curve for N scale? I know very little about N scale and would like to start laying some track pretty soon. I know that in HO scale an 18'' curve is pretty tight, and a 22'' curve is much better. How do the curves compair from HO scale to N scale? What would you recomend for a diescent curve that I won't regret later? I am planning on using flex track for the larger curves but have a couple of places that I will be needing to turn the train only 90 degrees, will the curved track I spoke about at the start work for the 90 degree curves? Thanks. Mike
Mike, it sounds like you're using curves of 9 3/4" radius. This is roughly the equivalent to an 18" radius curve in HO. An 11" radius curve is roughly the equivalent of an HO 20" radius curve. Atlas also makes a 19" radius curve, which is the equivalent of an HO curve of 34.5" radius.
Hope this helps.
Andre
mikesmowers wrote: Thanks I have about 20 of the 9 3/4 R curves and 3 of the 35.5 R curves, these are nearly straight. Could I use these 9 3/4'' R curves for a 90 degree curve without to much problem of derailments? Mike
I use Bachmann with 11.25" curves, though I hear that Kato is better. I don't have any problems with derailments (like I do with the HO equivilents), even with "S" curves. Even my 4-8-8-4 big boy works so well, I'm looking for tighter curves to do a little more.
Yes, what you describe is 9 3/4" radius which is the mininum you want to use with N scale. They are fine with four axle diesels and 40 ft freight cars. Longer six axle diesels with body mounted couplers are iffy. PCM E7's AA units with front body mounted couplers for example pull cars right off the track due to coupler overhang.
12 1/2" radius is a comfortable radius with freight trains and 15" radius with passenger trains. Trains look good on these curves and they will give you trouble free operation if use good track and lay it right.
Mike,
See http://www.nmra.org/standards/sandrp/rp-11.html for NMRA's recommendations of curve radii for different scales and types of equipment.
-John
What size engines and rolling stock do you plan to run? Any 8 (or especially 10) coupled steam can get picky about curves, not to mention large locos can look odd coming around very sharp curves. That being said, there is something neat about large articulateds snaking through sharp curves (thats what they are for, after all).
If you're modeling the 19th century, you might want to ditch the trainset track and get some Micro Engineering code 40. It has much finer rail, which would more closely resemble the 70 lb rail used during railroading's earlier day. It's available as flex track, and takes some getting used to, but in the end you'll have a much more realistic looking layout.
At the very least, consider Atlas' code 55 track. It's more widely available, has several sizes of turnouts, as well as a wide selection of sectional track. That's what I use, and I highly recommend it.
Lee
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net
mikesmowers wrote: The plan for the N scale will be set in about 1880. I am planning 2 small towns and mostly open country connecting the two. No diesels here. Probley just shorter freight cars and some passenger cars. Mike
Yes, 9 3/4" radius will work fine for that. Athearn offers a lot of nice turn of the century steam engines, freight, and passenger coaches.