Hi,
I am looking to put a ceiling based LGB setup in my sons room. The room is a square with no obstructions (at that height). The dimensions are 13’6"x10’3".
How do I determine how much straight track & curved track to buy?
I am looking to just do a simple oval around the whole room.
Thanks,
Rich
I would repost this in the garden rail road forums. They deal with the G scale stuff more then we do. Although I also do G-Scale too. So I will give you my $.02
But here is LGB’s web site. Take a look here you can order right from their site.
http://www.shopatron.com/index/394.0.16731.0.0.0.0
My guess would be something like this.
(16) Curved R3 Track
(8) Straight Track, 1200 mm = 3.93701 feet
(2) Straight Track, 300 mm = 11.8110 inches
here is a list of track with radius( this is LGB Track)
R1 = 2’ radius.
R2 = 2.5’ radius.
R3 = 3.75’ radius.
R5 = 7.5’ radius.
Hope this helps
Baker
To answer this question we would need to know exactly what brand and size of curves you are dealing with. But assuming you will be using LGB track there are basically three sizes of curves. They are measured in metric but basically there are small curves, medium curves, and large curves. The small and medium curves have twelve (12) pieces per circle. The large curves have sixteen (16) pieces per circle. I recommend the medium curves. That will take the track farily far into the corner and will not require the locomotives to grind their way through the really tight small ones. The large curves are really nice if you don’t mind the track being further away from the wall for a longer distance.
Based on the curves you choose the straights are easy. Just get enough to fill in between. Buy the curved tracks, lay them out on the floor directly under where you intend to put them and then measure the straight distance between. The straight tracks also come in various lengths. There is a standard piece (1100mm I believe which is about a foot), 2x standard, 3x standard, 4x standard. Then there are short pieces 1/2 standard, 1/4 standard, and I believe even a 1/8 standard.
I would say to get four (4) of the really long pieces (one for each side) and then fill in the rest with the shorter pieces. If you choose the medium curves, than (if my rough math is correct) two of the really long pieces will probably fit on the 13 foot side of the room. The idea of using the longer pieces when possible is that the track will have fewer gaps and hence fewer places to have problems.
LGB has 4 types of sectional curves: R1, R2, R3, and R5.
R1 - 12 sections to make a 360 circle. Brass #11000 and Nickel Silver #14110
R2 - 12 sections to make a 360 circle. Brass #15000 and Nickel Silver #14500
R3 - 16 sections to make a 360 circle. Brass #16000 and Nickel Silver #14600
R5 - 24 Sections to make a 360 circle. Brass #18000 and Nickel Silver #14800
For a room, you will probable use R1 or R2 curves due to space, but be wise of what type of locomotves/cars you will be using. A tip: The bigger the car, The bigger the curve.
They, LGB, also has numerous types of sectional straights, from 1 foot up to 4 feet in lenght. If possible, get the larger track, as there is less that can go wrong. Such a electrical conductivity, only a problem with track powered locomotives.
Now, Brass vs. Nickel Silver. I use Brass for my outdoor layout, and the only downside I can see with Brass is that it darkens very quickly, this really depends on your personal tastes, due mostly to weather and a little to use. I do not use Nickel Silver as it costs more than Brass. For an indoor layout, it really depends on how much do you want to spend.
If it were me, I would use Brass, due to its lower cost, just my two cents.
In addition to knowing how much and what type of track you’re going to need, how do you propose to suspend it from the ceiling or walls? There are several companies that make suspended layout systems. You need to get a copy of Garden Railways Magazine and look through the advertisements to get some ideas on how to approach the problems you’re going to be encountering.
Thank you for the replies.
I did pick up 3 pieces of R2 (15000 track) for a curve to see how it fit. I also picked up 2 of the 1 foot straight pieces.
I am going to use LGB track for sure on this. With Lionel, with a large track, I remember putting two power connections on either side of the track to make sure that there were no slowdowns or power drops. Is G guage the same way?
The suggestion of putting the corner pieces in & measuring is probably the way to go. I am not sure how accurate i can get with it.
As far as mounting on the walls, i put shelving in ala:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/lkydvl/Overhead%20Line/consistonwall.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/lkydvl/Overhead%20Line/CSXCONSISTalongwall.jpg