Given opposing 24" radius curves, with the tangent end of the easements meeting to form an “S” curve. What is the minimum straight track between them to minimize the “S” curve bug-a-boos?
The length of your longest car / locomotive that you will run over the track. In HO running the longest equipment this will be about 12 1/2 inches. Also a crossover track forms an S curve also, which is why you want to use bigger turnouts there. John Armstrong’s book “Track Planning for Realistic Operation” covers this and other issues.
Enjoy
Paul
The effect of the S cruve will be less because of the easements, but I’d still try to maintain the same minimum that you would without the easements. Better to be safe by using a conservative design.
Normally I’d be conservative, but in this case I really am between a rock and a hard place…A rock wall and a steel support column…LOL. If I can squeeze this in, there’ll be a chance of ±12 feet of additional main line.
I’d think about cheating down on the radius, especially since you have easements, to get a little longer tangent between the curves. Hopefully that will reduce the jerk of the S curve. Of course, I haven’t built a thing, but I’ve started at the pictures a lot!
One day there will be a plan.
I otta go with Zandoz on this one. Drop the radius, use easements, and throw in a section of straight track that is as long as your longest piece of equipment.
P. Carrell
Autumn’s Ridge Railway & Navigation Co.
OOPS… gotta go with Zandoz…
P. Carrell
ARR&N