Hi: I have just finished my benchwork and am in the stage of laying my track. I was wondering is anyone had any info on the distance I should lay my main line track apart. I have lots of reference but thought someone could shed some light on it. I am trying to recreate the mississippi run. Thanks mj
The NMRA guide lists minimums, but there might be reasons why you’d want to use a wider spacing. If your fingers will be doing a lot of the switching tasks (such as trading out rolling stock in a staging yard), then you’ll want fiddle-space; on my own N-scale staging yard, the tracks are at 1.75" centers. Also, the prototype you are modeling might have mains set wider, especially if the two tracks were built at different times. Sometimes, a multiple-track mainline gets reduced by a track or two, leaving a space - near my parent’s house, there was a four-track mainline that got cut to two and then later just one line. Another reason for wide spacing might be a single track main that goes onto a bridge, and later a second main was added with its own bridge; the two spans side by side force the spacing wider.
So do some research of your chosen prototype and see if there are any places where the spacing was noticeably wider than standard. Otherwise, go with whatever you’re comfortable with, as long as it meets or exceeds the NMRA guideline.
Ok great!! I will use the reference pictures I have to make the main lines. Thanks so much. mj
I go with 1.25" on the straights and 1.5 on the curves.
I’ve noticed that, if you’re using Midwest N-scale Cork for your roadbed, 1.25" is just about as tight as you can space them; I used this spacing for my yard and it’s all shoulder to shoulder. Perhaps I should have just used sheet cork instead, but what’s done is done!
I’ll be installing Peco 55 track in a short future and if I want to install a double crossover,I’ll need 1 1/16 in. spacing.This is the spacing designed in other Peco turnouts also as two turnouts opposed to form a regular crossover will give the same center to center measurement.Although confident this will do on straight track sections,I will have spacing enlarged to 1 1/4 in. in curves,just to be safe.It should be sufficient as I’ll have broad curves at 16 in. minimum radiuses.
I think thats a good set. Might extend it to 1.5" curves and straight.
Well, 1.5" is the standard for N Trak modules, and between that and the three main line thing, I think it looks way off. 1.25" is a lot easier on the eyes, in my opinion…
Here’s a stretch of 1.25"
And here’s the 1.5" centers of N Trak.
And as a point of reference, here’s a little real double track for your viewing pleasure…
I think you’ll agree, that closer is better.
Lee