Hi guys!
I need some advice.
I’m running the track on a ramp behind the backdrop, down to hidden staging. The space is really tight at one spot. So I want to ask. How much room must I have for a HO scale train, minimum (width)? Can I trust the NMRA gauge 100%?
On a straight track, yes. On a curve you’ll have to factor in car length and bogey throw and factor that in also.
I’ve always trusted my gauge but just to be safe you might want to test it first with a few of your biggest cars just to be safe.
The track is straight, no curves at all.
[#ditto]
Jeff has it right !
On some of my large locos on a curve the cab roof swings out pretty far and
has shown me where to put my scenery
Many rail cars and locomotives have gotten taller, wider, and longer since the NMRA gauge was adopted many years ago, so if you’re running models of newer designs you should allow for this.
I use a Centerline track cleaning car to check for side clearances since it is wider than any normal rail car, and I want to insure that it doesn’t hit an obstruction.
Your best bet would be to push your largest rail car through each area and check for clearance as you go, and then add a little more clearance for future purchases.
EL, the guage is quite generous for straight track. You can come in a fair bit, maybe 1/4" (6.5mm) on each side. You can test, though, by placing small blocks of styrofoam at different clearances down that track and test you widest rolling items. All you need is 2-3 mm clearance on either side of the widest item, although if it derails there for some strange reason, you’ll have to get ahold of the item via the ends…not always easy.
This may sound odd but,you can have your track 1/8" from the wall as long as the track is perfectly straight-much like the track by a industry and you have clearance for steps on locomotives,cabooses and passenger cars…