[:)]It has been over 30 years sence I dabbled with N-scale,It has come an long way![^]I’am thinking about going back to N tell I realy get my train room back,bouther-in-law moved out and youngest son comes home (34)[:(][:(!]
Sometimes you can’t win for loseing.[xx(][V]
Ihave an 42 inch by ten foot lay out In HO but it is not doing it for me,so think I will change and narrow it down(maybe wife will quit complaneing about room)!
need to know what is the radi for N scale?and are Kato unitrack any good?I hear the switches have hidden power under them so nothing out side like atlas and so on?About the only thing I can use off my layout is maybe the trees.
I sure would like some help here guys??
JIM
There is no specific radi, but the tighest you can go is around 9". Talk to spacemouse about Kato Unitrack.
[%-)] I’m a little confused. What do you mean by this?
As with any scale, the broader the curves the better.
Maybe you should tell us a little about what type of equipment you want to run and then we could taylor our answers better.
I mean, it makes a difference if you want to run 4-4-0’s, 2-10-0’s, Big Boys, four axle diesels, or six axle diesels.
10’ x 42", this is a good size space for N.You could narrow down the layout by using a blob for the curves at each end. I would use 18" radius if you intend to have sizable steam. I have 17" and my 4-8-4 climbs the rails but does not derail. It just does not look good. I had 14" curves on a preveous layout an dran diesels only and they ran and looked good.
You should keep in mind access to the rear of the layout for maintainace.
Yes N-scale has come a long way. Most locos run fairly good and if you run DCC they will blow you sox off. I just started my DCC experience last week and cant stop talking about it. Adjustable momentum and braking, realistic measurable speeds, corn field meets(oops), run many trains on one throtle, etc…
Have fun and get trains running ASAP.
Radius…switchers,Geeps and other 4 axle locos will handle 9 in. curves but will look great on 11+ in. curves.Six axle locos and small steamers are at home on 14+ in. curves while big steamers (Big Boy,Challenger,Mallet) will definitely need 20+ in. curves to look right although most will handle tighter turns without derailing.I have a DD40AX that can handle 12 in. curves but looks terribly out of it’s world doing it.
Kato Unitrack is a pretty much bullet proof option.However,it is somewhat pricey and you are limited to whatever radiuses they offer.You could use flextrack as you can design your own trackplan to suit your needs better.My personal choice is Peco for their turnouts design but Atlas also makes fine flextrack,although Peco’s turnouts still have the upper hand in my mind.Both can be powered by hidden motors under the layout (Peco streamline,Atlas Custom) if you don’t want the unsightly motors of the Snapswitches you are referring to.
SPIDGE - you have a might fine layout - nice backdrop and benchwork.
A 36" x 80 " hollow core door will give you a 19" ridius…Just like HO the larger the curve the better…For your space I recommend 19-21" curves made from flex track.
Help your son pack!
Kato Unitrack is the best. I would not consider anything else for N scale or HO. Reliable and bulletproof!
Thanks a lot guys,helping son pack is a good idea,but half to deal with wife on that,that will be the gun fight at OK correl! DEKRUIF: HO trees work real good on N scale!
I’ll be running mostley GEEPS but have throughts on some big steam down the line.
So if I go with a 36" wide top it should be all right.I’am planing on useing my HO brench work,with a few changes.I want to run some big trains ! that is one of the reasons for down sizeing.I like the idea SPIDGE about an blob at the ends,And thanks a lot for the info,time to do some planing.By the way I have ten tortoise switch machines in use right now.HUMMMMMMMMM!Flex and cork are not new to me[^][:)][?]How would 36"X8’
JIM[:D][}:)][|)]
If you plan on running big steam,I strongly suggest that you stick with 18 in. curves as a minimum,20-22 in. even better,wich does give the end blobs idea all its importance.Big steam,meaning articulateds,will always look better on the largest curves,even though many can handle less than desirable radiuses.