Hi,
I have been searching for N scale easement templates, but all I can find are HO scale. The radius of the arcs are larger than I would use in my layout. Does anyone have a source of these smaller radius templates?
Also, can old school drafting french curves be used to approximate easement curves?
Thanks in advanced
There are probably templates on-line somewhere specifically for N, but the “bent stick” model works very well and is easy. One can use this method to make a template of your own and then just use it wherever needed. Here’s a .pdf from a Convention presentation by Rich Kolm … page 2 has a good explanation of this method.
It’s easy to convert all the measurements to N scale. Simply multiply by 87.1 and then divide by 160.
Many of us find that by allowing a small offset between the tangent point of the curve and straight track, most flex track forms a quite useable easement on its own. For our purposes, a precise mathematical spiral curve is not really necessary.
You might find a useable segment on a french curve, perhaps confirmed by a bent stick experiment.
Good luck with your layout.
Byron
Indeed look no further than the March issue of MR for Pelle Soeberg’s demonstration of the bent stick method to arrive at easement curves.
Dave Nelson
Thanks for the advice. I considered the bent stick method, but was unsure of how thick and what kind of wood to use for the stick. I searched online for a flexible metal rule to use, but found nothing.
Does anyone have suggestions of what to use for the “stick”?
Hi Jerry,
I started a thread back in March 17, 2007 called ‘Asymmetric bow and easements’. It described how I used the bow from Lee Valley, Canada for my N scale layout easements. Worked out really well.
I do not know how to link that topic to yours (maybe someone can help here) but I hope it gives you another possible solution.
Regards,
Roger
Thanks for posting the link. I hope the information assists Jerry.
Oct. 1969 Model Railroader has fold-out templates for spiral curves.