I’m designing a new layout using track planning software. One of the plans I am using for inspiration shows the main yard with 10 tracks in a 2 foot wide space. However, with my software I can only fit 6 traks into the same 2 foot wide space. I am planning with no.6 switches and Fleischman track, but what an I doing wrong, if anything?[?]
Secondly, what would you use as a minimum radius for some 4-8-2s and maybe a few 4-8-4s as the largest steamers? Currently, I am using about 26 inch minimum radius. Is too small or will it do?
Any help you can give me will be most appreciated,[:)]
Daniel
If you’re working in HO, the Spectrum 4-8-2’s will get around a 26" radius without any problems. I’ve several of them and my minimum radius is 24". Hovever they will look better on larger curves. I don’t run any 4-8-4’s so I don’t know about them.
Is there a way to adjust the minimum clearance between the tracks? Using different-sized switches might work as well–in a yard, even #4 switches will be sufficient for large engines since they’ll be passing through slowly.
I would like to share some info on track laying…a mistake i made which might help future track layers. because of limited space i built a 4x8 ho layout and of course i wanted alot of track in a small space.my mistake was i used #4 turnouts on a secondary line going to a mainline.it’s already ballasted and glued in place. when i started to wire the track and test it, i realized that any 6 axle locomotive going through the #4’s cannot do it at high speed.big boo-boo.i dont know if i should live with it or tear it out and install a number 6.
The frog number of the switch has nothing to do with the track center spacing. That is the design of the switch. For 4-8-4’s etc I would stick with the #6 switches.
What you want to do is trim the switches so that the track centers match your plan. It sounds like the plan calls for 2" track center spacing which is very common, but the switches are designed for 2 1/2 or 3" center spacing. You will have to trim off some of the switch on either (or both) ends of the straight route. It may take some test fitting. I am unfamiliar with Fleischman track so I can’t advise if there are any problems doing that. I do it all the time with Atlas and Walthers/Shinohara track.