HO Scale Double track mainline spacing ????

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

[?] What should the spacing be between double track mainlines in HO Scale.

2" or 2’1/4 or 2’5/8 or 3"

What distance and why? I appreciate any feed back.

Thanks…

2

The answer depends on the length of your longest rolling stock and the radius of your curves. In sharp curves, your longer cars will overhang toward the inside of the curve to such an extent that their could be contact with another train. Longer cars and/or shorter radii will exacerbate the problem. I believe that the general rule in HO is for 2" for the main line, and 3" in yards…it’s late and I’m punchy.

3

The prototype has used as close as 13 feet but now generally uses wider. The actual spacing used depends on the standards of the particular railroad. Railroads have different standards for main lines, sidings, yards, etc.

2 inches (which represents 15 feet) is traditional in HO scale for straight track. As Crandell said wider spacing is usually needed on curves.

4

Thanks for the info… I’m building a 12ft by 2ft switching layout with the double track mainline up front so that I can expand in the future, the radius of curves is a non issue yet. It sounds like two inches will suffice.

Thanks

5

I agree pretty much what has already been said. 2" center-to-center (CTC) track spacing minimum for the main; 2-1/2"+ CNC for your curves. I depends both on your longest rolling stock car length and the minimum radius of your curve(s). (It’s always best to try a temporary mock up and test it out first to make sure everything clears.) 2-1/2" CTC spacing in your yard (straight portions) should be ample - unless you have REALLY fat fingers.

Tom

6

I used 2 1/4" on my double track main, with 30" radius on the inside curve. That was the smallest spacing I could get away with and still clear 85-89 foot cars passing each other. I’ve got mostly diesels, so I’m not sure if this would be big enough if you’re running articulated steam engines.

7

MY PRE-FAB #6 XOVER’s use 2 1/4" center’s so that’s what I use for parallel main’s and siding’s. How much more on curve’s depend’s on the overhang and length of your cars on your curves. It’s trial & error.

8

Here the NMRA’s standard http://www.nmra.org/standards/s-8.html
Enjoy
Paul