is 12.5" radius too small for N scale?

[Mailman56701]

Here would be my compromise…

First I’d put a 2" slab of foam on top the existing table, with a minimum dimension of 29x72. To preserve the edges of the foam and to make a plummit guard, I’d glue a band of 1x4s or other trim molding around the perimiter.

For track, I’d go with Kato Unitrack, and instead of sticking with fixed radius curves, I’d start each end of the curve with one of the 28-1/4" radius sections. Those large radius sections are directly replaceable with Unitrack #6 turnouts, for siding/interchange/expansion tracks going off into the corners. Also, those initial larger large radii sections will act as pseudo easements, to make the tight curves less harsh.

Below is a sample starting point loop I worked out following this philosophy. The sample uses a minimum 12.375’ radius on the outer loop, and 11" on the inner loop on a 72x29 footprint. Personally, I’d try to stretch it to 32x74 and go with 13.75"/12.375" minimum radii.

Good points. Have you considered using the 19" curves, instead of the 28.25 ones ?

Using the 19" curved sections would preclude replaceability with the #6 turnouts…the 19"ers could be replaced by #4s, but probably not good on the main. Also, and Kato’s #4s have a rep for needing attention to work right in many cases.

Ah, ok, thanks, makes sense. I was just thinking of space savings with the 19’s.

[R_T_POTEET]

I have a Z scale layout on a 25"x72" table that i got from my great uncle. It runs very poorly, you have to push the old Marklin locos all the time. The wiring is also old and complex. I plan to tear it down and build an N scale layout on it. The maximum radius I could have would be 12.5". I hope to run SD70s and other 6 axle locos, if those locos couldn’t run on 12.5" i would use 4 axle jeeps instead. The rolling stock i would like to use if possible would be intermodal, coal trains, and cars found on mixed freight. I have not had any experience with N scale, please help me.

No, its not too small; in fact, it is too big - at least it is too big for your 25 inch wide table. Those 12.5 inch radius curves are going to overhang your table edge by the gauge of track plus the (outside) length of ties; this is an open invitation for your train to plunge into the depths of bottomless canyon. Assuming a tie length of eight feet - ties come in eight feet, eight and a half feet, and nine foot lengths on the prototype; I don’t have the slightest idea how long the ties are on commercially available track - you could get by with a radius of 12.2 inches but at the end of the curve your ties are going to fit flush with the table edge and that is going to look just a little bit stupid.

You should probably allow a one inch space between your table edge and your end of tie; this one inch gives you space for the slope of your ballast plus what is termed a scenery belt. This one inch scenery/ballast belt will give you a radius of 11.2 inches.

Now to address your equipment portion of your post. An 11.2 inch radius curve is a sharp curve; model manufacturers engineer most of their equipment to negotiate curves of that radius but you are going to be presented with a severe overhang on anything in excess of fifty feet in length. This includes six-axle road switchers and inter

[Trainsk8]

thanks everyone, but the thing is is that i have an HO scale layout taking up my whole room which is 14’x20’ layout. I just want to use the table for a small layout.thanks