First of All, I like to say hello to all of my fellow hobbyists.
Secondly, my question is this I am using Bachmann Nickel Silver EZ-track and I am laying it out on a bench that is 24 X 48 and can not figure out my final curve to connect the track to the part of my layout which is on a 48 X 48 bench, any help would be greatly appreciated. I forgot I am working HO.
Thanks in advance.
First, how are these two tables set up in relation to each other?
Second, what radius EZ Track are you using?
What kind of track configuration do you have on the table(s) already that you’re trying to connect?
I see what Tom is asking, and why, but perhaps I can help a bit. If you were to take a thin and longish piece of wood, pass a small nail through it near one end, but on the flat side, and then mark off inches starting at about 12", and end at, say, 36", you would have a device to measure an arc.
You would find a way to place the nail tip in a fixed position inside the curve, and then sweep the stick from where you have the ends of the tangents placed. You may have to move the nail a few times before a give radius is evident; the sweep will have the same point on the stick meeting the centre of the rails at each end. That is where you find your radius.
HOwever, you may find that you will have to alter your approach to the curve in order to get the radii that Bachmann offers to work without having to saw a piece or two. That may mean moving your tangents. Also, you won’t be wanting a curve sharper than about 15" unless you are operating really small stuff in HO. If you get steamers other than Shays, or something other than a very small shunt switcher, you will need at least 18", or whatever the recommendation is from the manufacturer.
Does that help at all?
Tom to answer your question the benchwork is L-shaped with the 24 x 48 screwed together with the 48 x 48, I have a bunch of 18 " radius curve Bachmann track, three 22" half section radius curve, and four 15 " radius curve. I also have 20.75 inches in between the bases of the EZ-track.
I believe I maybe trying to sharp of a curve also, any other suggestions would also be appreciated if any or am I trying too hard with such a small space to make a return curve?
Thanks once again
If the 24 inch dimension of the one table is set up as it’s width, then you’d need about an 11 inch radius curve for a return. Track radius measurment is based on the track centerline (half way between the rails), so a 22 inch radius is about the practical limit of what you can use on a 4x8 foot piece of plywood for a circle. 22 inch radius is 44 inches diameter, add about an inch to each side of the track radius for the outside rail and roadbed and you’re up to 46 inches. That leaves an inch on either side of the circle to the edge of the layout board.
On the 4x4 section, you can make a circle with either the 18 or 22 inch radius, or even a double track circle with one of each radius. Add a switch to lead off to the 2x4 foot section and use that for a dead end yard and servicing facility.
Thanks Tom, that is exactly what I did on the 24" bench I will be creating a yard facility and I put a dead end for future expansion once I move the layout from this small rooom into something bigger one day.