I got a question I hope some of you can answer. I have a 4X8, and am going to re-do my tracks, this time around I plan to have 24 inch wide curves instead of the standard 18 inch. First question is can you fit this on a 4X8? Next question is how would you measure the radius using flex track? And do they sell 24 inch radius curved track sections? Thanks.
Measuring from the centerline, 2 x 24" = 48" (or 4'). If you add the rest of the track on the outside of the centerline, your track is "bleeding" off the edge of the 4'x8' sheet. Short answer: No. The most I would try would be 22" r. This would 44" centerline to centerline of track with a VERY minimal amount of edge, but it would work.
Depending on the era or types of equipment you want to run, 24" radius is a good minimum to shoot for. Lots of big stuff will run on smaller radius track, but the overhang isn't so noticeable on 24" (except possibly for full-length passenger cars). If you have space to go even to 4-1/2' wide, then 24" R will still give you some margin to the "edge of the world".
Exactly. If 4' by 8' is the configuration you must maintain, then I'd be thinking in the area of 20-21 inches radius. 22 at very maximum. Anything slightly more puts you right at the edge of the outline. I'd try to have a small safety margin of keeping track about 2 inches in from the edge. Boxcab E50
I did add a 3 1/2 inch extension to the layout, so this might help. However, the reason for this extension was to have an extra siding, so I would like to keep this. The reason for the 24 inch radius is because I really love the Auto Racks and they say the minimum radius for the Auto Racks is 24 inches. I already run 72 in Centerbeams and 85 inch Superliners on my current 18 inch radius curves, but the wider radius would help the look. I'd be happy to just be able to run the Auto Racks no matter how they looked going on the curves. Can they run on 22 inch radius curves?
I have no Auto Racks to know for sure, but most locos and rolling stock can be run on slightly tighter radius than advertised. Minimum radius advertised for my BLI HO Scale loco is 22" but it runs just fine on 20". Just doesn't look too great with a lot of overhang. But it would take closer to 36" to begin to look good. Ben
The HOG Heart of Georgia Beginner's Layout Check this out...same square footage, but more railroad. Paul
Now is the time to find out. Why not tack down a temporary 22 inch radius circle, and give it a test? Boxcab E50
I would have to buy an Auto Rack car which is a lot of money to spend on something that I'm not sure would work, especially with my limited budget. I'm going to re-do my tracks with a 22 inch radius anyways, so I might as well just get the car. It will look cool in the yard if it doesn't take to the curves. Do they sell 22 inch radius track sections in most hobby stores?
Depends. What track are you using? M.B. woo woo woo near Baltimore has both Atlas Code 83 and Bachmann EZ-Track 22" radius in stock. http://www.some train store.com/ Ben
I bought the Atlas code 100 22 inch radius track. I'm in the process of re-doing my curves. I even got the okay to expand even more, so instead of a 4X8, I will have a 4X10. I'm very excited! I will post pictures of my progress. Thanks for all the help!
