Can any one tell me what the distance between tracks (center to center) on straits and on radius. Is it the same or is it different. I run HO scale I I thought I might go 2 1/4 inchs apart (center to center)
Is this too close?
NMRA standards list a whole series of C/Ls varying w/ radius. Your approach of 2 1/4" will work fine. I used 2 1/2" on mine based on distance that allowed me to rerail a car on track 2 w/o derailing everything on 1 and 3.
Here the link to the NMRA page http://www.nmra.org/standards/s-8.html As you can see it vary’s according to the equipment you are running and your curvature. Straights and curves don’t have to use the same spacing.
Enjoy
Paul
Sledge,
The NMRA link is a good starting place. I would go no less than 2-1/4" CTC on your straight sections; no less than 2-1/2" CTC on your curves. The CTC on curved track depends entirely on:
- The radius of your curves - tighter curve; increase spacing
- The length of your longest locomotive or car - longer car; increase spacing. What’s your longest locomotive or car length in feet?
Sldege, the best thing you can do is to actually set up some track with various CTC spacing and run your locomotives and cars through it to determine how far apart they need to be to properly clear one another.
Tom