N Scale Maine Line Clearance

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I am laying my maine lines next to each other and currently have 1 1/8" spacing center line to center line. Is this distance adequate? Is it correct?

Thanks

2

That might be a bit tight. Hava a look at this:

http://www.nmra.org/standards/s-8.html

3

As the above link shows it’s all relative to what you will be running and minimum radius. My minumum radius is 13 1/4" but because I run large diesels and large TOFC and Autoracks I went with a above normal spacing of 1 3/4" center to center spacing. There is no correct or incorrect spacing on paper it will be what works on your layout. If 1 1/8" spacing works for you and you don’t have any issue with clearances then it’s good but make sure that your longest cars you will run will be able to clear each other while passing.

4

Thanks for the advice. My min. radius is 22" that should help. I will try running some large cars on what has been laid to make sure they clear.

5

Darn! I thought there was a sale goin’ on here.[:D]

6

One thing to consider…which you may already have…if you’re using commercially available turnouts, they may be a dictating factor in you spacing. For example, I’m using Kato Unitrack #6 turnouts, and they dictate a very wide spacing…around 1-7/8".

7

I increased my clearance to 1 1/2" c-to-c. This way I will be able to sleep better at night knowing that I will be able to run any size locomotives and not worry about the clearance issues. This was not too much of an issue since I only had the roadbed down on the out side loop. Thanks for all the input!