What is the correct track center spacing for N scale track. I am planning my layout and want prototypical track spacing… ie) no room for fingers etc…
I had heard: 1 1/4" inches center to center… am I right??
guess theres no real right or wrong…i use 1 3/16 on the straights and 1 7/16 on the corners with a 13 inch radius…but thats me…numbers are a kinda from the john armstrong method of squares…
http://www.nmra.org/standards/s-8.html
N scale is near the bottom of the page. Look out when trying to use minimal prototypical spacing on curves, you’ll have clearance issues. There isn’t one prototypical number, it varies widely in real life, too.
The link in the above post goes to narrow gauge standards (apparently because of a glitch on the NMRA site in the Standards list, if you click on “S-8 Track Centers” you get narrow gauge standards, “S-8 pdf” goes to the standard gauge standards). Here is the link to standard gauge:
I’m seeing the same table in both links…hmmmm…
Vail & Soutwestern RR:
You are correct. I was confused by the different format
Atlas uses 1.25 inches for its N Scale Code 55 sectional track spacing on center.
So, you might consider this to be a kind of minimum guideline, especially on curves, since Atlas sectional track is designed to be plug & play and user-friendly.
Thanks for the info everybody. I mocked up three tracks centered 1" and 1 1/4" apart with covered hoppers on the track to get a “feel” for the separation. I think 1" looks the best, but leaves just a bit of daylight between the cars… a scale figure couldn’t be between the tracks with two trains passing without some significant injury! The 1 1/4" separation will be best for curves, but looks too far apart visually on the tangent. I think I prefer 1", but may have to get out my tape measure and measure the real thing one day!
Here is a “bent stick” Forum Search for blending tangents that may be helpful when using flextrack…
http://www.trains.com/TRC/CS/search/SearchResults.aspx?q=bent%20stick&f=MTE=&u=
1" scales to 13-1/3 feet, 13 feet is the closest the prototypes specify on tangent. They go wider on curves.
Thanks for the info. I can put that number to good use!
Just be careful especially on curves. And remember that was the minimum, 15 feet, or even more is more common, certainly in yards, and also on anything more modern, unless there is a compelling reason to crowd.
I’d like to add a little word of caution here.I have installed Atlas trackage in the past and discovered that not only they recommend 1.25 in. track spacing,their turnouts are also designed to fit nicely with this measurement.If you decide to install two facing turnouts to create a crossover,you will need to cut some length off of the TO’s for them to fit properly at 1.0 in. spacing.Reducing the space between tracks will help saving space in your yard,but building your ladder could be quite time consuming if you have to custom fit every TO.It would also increase the difficulty if you have to couple/uncouple cars manually.
I’ve installed paralell tracks (using Peco’s) a while ago and was glad I had taken this into account when the guys decided that we should have a crossover in this area.It’s been a matter of cutting tracks and dropping the TOs in,a piece of cake.My two cents…
That is good to know actually. I plan on looking at CP yard photos to help me eyeball a prototypical spacing in the yard. Even if it means having to cut turnouts to size [xx(]