I am building a new layout, as discussed in the past, and my minimum radius is going to be 36". I tried a short section with this radius and an autorack but it still doesnt look right. It still looks like it is going to be too tight. What are you running as far as radius and autoracks? I might need to change my plans and go for 42" but I kinda want to stick to 36" for space reasons. I just dont want the autoracks and intermodal cars to look a little wierd.
D&HRR,
R36" curves should work fine for your autoracks. Larger radii curves will always look better though.
My motto: Go with as larger a radii curve as you possibly can.
Tom
I have 4 curves, three of which might be considered tight but are well back from the edge of my layout.
I plan on screening the view of these 3 curves using scenery, most likely in the shape of rock out crops so that you cannot see the longer cars on these curves. It also helps that the layout is 4 feet off the ground so even at my 6’ height you can’t really see the “imperfections” of my limited space.
Gordon
I just re-installed a curve with a 36-inch radius and tested it with 2 autoracks. Looked very credible. But if you can accommodate 42-inches all the better.
On my old layout, the outside track had 21-inch radius curves, and I was able to run a train of 20 Walthers autoracks on it. Like other posters have said, though, larger curves look better for larger equipment.
Kevin
As others have said - the larger the better. The other part of the equation is “Is this single track or double track?” If double track, what are the centerline spacings?
Also test for “car curve overhang” with a passenger car, and compare that to the autorack car. If it feels right “by sight” for both lengthy cars then you’ve got a winner for sure.
You stated 36" radius. Or is it 36" diameter? I have 30" and 32.5" double track radius and my autoracks look Ok and pass side by side with no problems. The 2.5" separation is close on those curves with a radius of 30 and 32.5 but it is all the room I could spare and still maintain 36" aisles for operators. I agree with Duck, 30" radius/60" diameter is not bad.
Re the comment on double track corner spacing, I use 2.25". Tested with auto racks, 86’ HC box cars, 85 foot Walthers, and BLI passenger cars revealing no conflicts.
On my current layout when laying the track and testing the curves, I used autoracks on both the inside and outside tracks that I was testing. Basically, I had a locomotive pulling a short string of racks on the one track already down, and, on the curve that I was laying, I had a single autorack, moving it forward an inch at a time after each pass of the cut of racks on the other track. You basically want to watch and make sure the ends of the cars on the inside track clear the center of the cars on the outside track.
Kevin
It is 36" radius, this is the minimum radius, the maximum is 42"