Minimum Radius For N-Scale 89' TOFC

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Greetings All,

First post in here. I’m just beginning to do some initial planning for a new
N-Scale layout and I’m wondering what the minimum recommended radius would be for running TOFC. Portions of this layout would be double-track so two intermodal trains meeting on a curve, and any associated over-hang would be a concern.

Thanks in advance!

Mike Collier
Phoenix Az

2

Like the long passenger cars, the long TOFC or doublestack cars need a long radius. They may shoehorn thru a 12in radius, but I’d go for 18" or larger.
You may switch them with a GP38 but you will need to run them with anSD40-2 or newer. Turnouts will need to be #6 or larger. Get a Ntrak clearance gague, to be sure track centers are at least 1.5".

3

I agree they aren’t much shorter than a HO 50 footer

4

Thanks for the recommendations guys. I used to build in HO many years ago and I’m just now getting back in to the hobby in N-Scale. It takes a bit of a mindset adjustment to think in a smaller scale! :slight_smile:

I’ve sketched out some tentative plans using a scale track plan template and I should be able to get 22 inch minimum radius curves along the mainline.

Thanks again!

Mike Collier
Phoenix