Hello again all.
Im getting ready to do my first layout in HO scale and am curious about curve radii. Do any of you know what the minimum operating radius is for smooth operation pulling a load. I have many radii between 13-1/2" & 19". Is this large enough. Another question, what is a reasonable radius for which an engine can travel around a curve at moderate speed without slowing down? Thanks for any help you can give me.
For HO, 13.5" radius is going to be a real problem for both locos, and rolling stock. 19" is just above what is considered minimum (18"). I would advise you that you need to rethink your plans. Get a good book of track plans, there are many on the market, not to copy, but to get an idea of what works. Have fun and good luck!
hello murray
To help out with your question.
You should consider what what type of loco you want to run
ie: 4 or 6 axle diesel or steam wheel configuration
and what are you going to be pulling?
long passenger cars?
short 40’ freights or modern intermodal?
And lastly what type of layout is this… are you looking for the smallest
radius you can get your biggest rolling stock around.?
Meaning are you looking for a bare minimum or something that will look good.
Justin P.
Ontario Canada
thanks for the response a88s
dont know what type of engine…probably a 4 axle. i will be more than likely pulling 40’ tanker and hopper cars…maybe 10-15 at a time?
i have an L shaped configuration made of 2 - 4x8 sheet of plywood…so…lots of curves.
i want to build something that looks good.
Murray
With these two sheets of plywood in an L shape,
i would put as big of curves as you can fit.
20’’ would leave 4’’ on either edge of the curve
22’’ would leave 2’’ on either edge. (kinda close for my liking)
A very knowlegeable person in a LHS told me some good advice
a long while ago
i was wanting to make a 4 x 8 as well.
he told me to go up to 5 x8
most people have the space to go a foot bigger and it gives you room to make much nicer turns ie 26’’ R
the only thing is it involves a bit more in the construction process
because it is not a standard plywood size.
thanks a88s, im already running out of room though…the room im in is only 13’x13’
have you considered an around the walls type layout?
very easy to do with foam construction and shelf brackets.
and it gives you alot more access to your trains becuase you have all the space in the middle free.
And you can make a removable or swing down bridge
so you don’t even have to bend down to get into it
Model Railroad Craftsman has had a series in it about an author making one in his office, in a new home
the current issue has part 4 or 5 in it
ill look at that, thanks for the comments a88s…do you have any pics of your layout? i would like to post a pic of my layout but dont know how to upload photos on this site.
sorry murray
no pics for now
no layout right now
i just moved into my house in may
and i’ve been busy renovating the house.
and preparing the train room as well!!
i just picked up some more lights to install in the train room
this afternoon.
Try to lay the largest radius of curvature on your main line, wherever that is. It doesn’t really matter what you are modelling (barring geared and industrial trains and lines). Your trains, of all types, will look and perform better on well-laid large curves. Save the 18" curves for your yards.
Murray,
First, you will need to upload your photos to an online hosting site. The two most popular sites are http://www.railimages.com and http://www.photobucket.com. I use both and I’ve found photobucket to be much easier to use, especially for posting photos to this forum.
Log onto either site and follow the instructions for setting up an album (both offer a free album). Once your album is set up, you can upload pictures off your computer to the host site. From the host site, you can post pictures directly on the forum which appears in your post or you can post a link to your photo that others can click on to visit.
There is a special syntax to use to post pictures on this site. I can never remember it, which is why I prefer photobucket. On photobucket, each picture you upload to your album has three different URL’s listed below the picture. These URL’s are in different syntax formats. The third URL is the correct one to use to post a picture directly to this forum. It is easiest to post a picture here if you have both the forum and your photobucket album open at the sametime. Click on the third URL once, right click it, select "copy ", switch to the forum and paste it into your forum posting. That simple! Actually, after you have done it a time or two, it takes longer to explain the procedure than to DO it!!
Give it a try. If you have any trouble, post your question on the forum and you’ll get all the help you need.
Darrell, quiet…for now
Here’s a hint…Go to Big5, Wally’s, or some other sporting goods/ game store. A standard ping pong table is 5’ x 9’ and already has legs for a fast start on your first layout!
Here is NMRA recommended curves based on different cars and locomotives http://www.nmra.org/standards/pdf/rp-11.pdf Many HO manufacturers make an their locos so they can get around an 18" radius, but in general if you follow these guidelines you shouldn’t have any problems. Keep in mind that you can use sharper curves on secondary tracks, but you should use as large a radius as you can on the mainline. If you can manage 20" you can run up to 60’ cars and have a bit of leeway for locos engineered for 18".
Enjoy
Paul
NMRA has the standards you should refer to for track radius. A minimum curve has restrictions on car and engine size. Even those that can run on it have an ugly overhang.