I have looked online and in books both to figure out the required turning radius for N scale SD and GP series engines from 1970 and newer in both freight and passenger lines. Starting with SD40 and going up to SD50 and 60's.
For rolling stock I know the newer cars used are 50' and 60' long and passenger cars can be longer.
The era I am focusing on is 1970 to about 1985.
I know how much maximum space I have available but don't want to completely fill it up if I don't have to. I need to know this information so I cna figure out how much space I need for the balloon/reverse loop with yard and staging in the middle at one end and the smaller turn around loop at the other.
I know the radius for N scale track starts at 11" and increases from there. What I don't know is should I go with 15" or 18" radius.
Please help with this.
Thanks.
Since you want to model "newer" equipment, I would go with the largest radius possible that will work for your trackplan and layout area. I am not familiar w/ N scale equipment, however, the same applies to HO when you are using newer, larger 6 axle engines and longer rolling stock. Even though a manufacturer will specify the "Minimum Radius" this is usually the absolute min that the equipment will traverse. Any minor glitches is trackwork or equip can cause you nothing but troubles. besides, "cramming" large pieces around tight turns, even though it may work, just doesn't look very good.
I know you are fairly new to this, it may be a good idea to let us know the parameters of the layout you would like to build. An over view of the layout purpose, yards and yard configuration, staging operational and switching posibilities required etc. These are all things to consider in your trackplan. Even the best thought out trackplan will be modified as you build or later as you actually run the RR. This is the best time to do all your research and eliminate many of the mistakes that you would end up with.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
Nothing is worse than having a long pullman in the middle of a curve show a 100% view of the track and ties out from underneath the center of the car. Lionel, under the christmas tree sets were famous for this, zipping around at 100 scale mph.
The watchword here is always.....always.... use the largest radius curves that your layout allows for all turns, especially on the main. Sure, on small spurs and sidings things can be much tighter because you aren't going to be spotting pullmans there nor switching with a Big Boy. You are more likely to be working an 0-4-0 or an SW-1 and a pushing a 40 foot box.
I am not a purist or a prototypical runner, but I do appreciate putting the various rolling stock and motive power over believable, easily worked trackage.
Modeling modern roads with modern, high volume traffic demands large sweeping curves if you wish to keep a sense of realism. Narrow gauge or early 1900's short lines and trolly lines can have rather sharp turns and still be pretty true to form.
The beauty of N gauge is that hairpin radius curves on HO systems are believable on N. 18" to 22" radius would be rather generous, gracefull curves for high speed modern traffic in N scale.
Richard
If I can't fix it, I can fix it so it can't be fixed
bogp40 Since you want to model "newer" equipment, I would go with the largest radius possible that will work for your trackplan and layout area. I am not familiar w/ N scale equipment, however, the same applies to HO when you are using newer, larger 6 axle engines and longer rolling stock. Even though a manufacturer will specify the "Minimum Radius" this is usually the absolute min that the equipment will traverse. Any minor glitches is trackwork or equip can cause you nothing but troubles. besides, "cramming" large pieces around tight turns, even though it may work, just doesn't look very good. I know you are fairly new to this, it may be a good idea to let us know the parameters of the layout you would like to build. An over view of the layout purpose, yards and yard configuration, staging operational and switching posibilities required etc. These are all things to consider in your trackplan. Even the best thought out trackplan will be modified as you build or later as you actually run the RR. This is the best time to do all your research and eliminate many of the mistakes that you would end up with.
The maximum available space is:
27' in total lenght. I plan on using the entire length.
The left or east end of the layout can be as much as 8' x 8'.
The right or west end can be as much as 5' x 5'.
This makes the max size of the middle section 14' in length and it can be up to 4' wide
Againt these are hte max. dimensions. The only part I will max out is the entire length of 27'. I do not want to and am not going to max out the 5' wide and 8' wide sections.
the first section I am going to build is the east end where the reverse/balloon loop will go with the yard in the middle. The yard will need to include enough track to hold staged consists, a yard office, engine maintenance and car maintenance buildings. There will be no roundhouse or turn table.
My consists will be industry specific. IE: a coal train delivering to a power plant, a passenger train going to a depot, a beer train going to a brewery, an oil/fuel train going to a oil/fuel storage depot, etc.
So starting with the east end of the layout how large of a radious should I go with on the balloon loop? Know this will help me figure out exactly how large this section will need to be.
SUX V R40 RiderI know the radius for N scale track starts at 11" and increases from there. What I don't know is should I go with 15" or 18" radius.
Actually, N scale sectional track starts around 9 3/4" radius or smaller, depending on the brand. For full length and modern cars and engines, broader is better, of course.
As I posted in your earlier thread:
cuyama13" radius in N scale will handle just about all equipment, 15" should accommodate everything.
15" will be fine (scale equivalent of 27.5" in HO). If you have room for 18" in N scale, your longer modern equipment will look better, if that matters to you.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
Didn't we just have this same discussion for HO scale? The recommendation was made then by more than one respondent to obtain the book Track Planning For Realistic Operation by John Armstrong. That remains good advice, and then you could better plan to meet your parameters.
Bill
SUX V R40 Rider I have looked online and in books both to figure out the required turning radius for N scale SD and GP series engines from 1970 and newer in both freight and passenger lines. Starting with SD40 and going up to SD50 and 60's. For rolling stock I know the newer cars used are 50' and 60' long and passenger cars can be longer. The era I am focusing on is 1970 to about 1985.
I typically refer to the LDSIG Rule of Thumb (http://www.ldsig.org/ldsigwiki/hints-tips/curve_radius_rule-of-thumb) and NMRA RP-11 (http://www.nmra.org/standards/sandrp/rp-11.html) guidance on curve radius. You are at least Class O on the NMRA chart. An 80ft car is 6" long in N scale. Both guidelines would suggest 18" radius. These guidelines are on the conservative side, but when you decrease radius below the recommendations the following happens:
I have always been of the opinion (just my opinion) that I would rather run smaller equipment which will take the smaller radius curves than force the big stuff through small curves. Which is one of the reasons I model 1900, and limit my passenger cars to 50ft long. This puts me in Class K on the NMRA RP.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W