Hello this is for a HO scale layout. I am trying to make some templates for my curves. I would like 25’‘-30’’ curves the bigger the better. I will have a G shape layout. There will be 3 corners and a loop on each end. The plain is to have 2 main lines run all the way around nonstop. The outside line will be for the kids so the trains can run laps. The inside line will have the all the sidings and such.
What I am not sure about is if it should be a 30’’ curve or 30’’ radius? I may not be able to go that big that’s why I would like to make templates. Thanks for the help Frank
Maybe someone smarter than me will offer you advice, but I’m having a little trouble visualizing your layout plan.
When you say “a 30” curve", are you referring to the DIAMETER? If so, that would be a 15" diameter curve, and would be very tight by anyone’s definition. NMRA Recommended Practice #11 gives some slightly different numbers, but a good rule of thumb in HO is that 18" radius is a tight curve, 24" is a standard curve. and 30" a broad curve. Unless you’re running trolleys or simulating a mining road with very small locos, you need to avoid anything smaller than 18". For long steam (bigger than a 2-8-2) or 6 axle diesels, you can forget about the 18" curves, too. You need a minimum of 22" for those, and 30" would be great if you can fit it in.
You can create a very simple tool for scribing curves by taking a yardstick and putting a nail through the end, as close to the “0” as you can (if it has a hole for hanging it up, that’s perfect). Then drill a 1/4" hole at the 18", 22", 24", 30" marks, and others as desired (cheat the hole up so that he distance between the nail and the hole is the required distance). Placing a pencil in the hole for the desired radius, you can scribe the centerline of your curve with ease. Don’t forget to allow for easements into you sharper curves to help prevent derailments.
Hello CTVallyRR Ok so I want radius. I did the yardstick trick on some cardboard a work. They just don’t look right I did two one at the 30’’ and 28’’ marks. Here is a pic of what I had in mind it’s not the best pic
Frank I hate to be the bearer of bad news but your plan can not be built as drawn. If I read your picture right, your bottom section is 33" deep - from the wall to the “front”. Your 2 “blobs” would have to 64" across for 1 track (centerline) to go around the blob and still have 2" from the track to the edge. Your corners are not doable at all.
Try using 1/4" graph paper for your plan. You can have each square be 6". You can make a “ball park” yard stick that would 6 squares long. Pin one end down and place a pencil at the other and draw a half circle. That will be the center line for a 36" radius curve. If you make a hash mark at the 5 square point and place the pencil there it will give an idea how large a 30" curve will be. Warning this will be a disappointing eye opener but will get you on to a better layout overall. I’m sure some others with more know how will be along and offer their advise
OK, I get it now. I was being dense. You said “three corners and a loop at each end”, I was trying to figure out how each end would have three corners and a loop (because the “G” description already suggested the “three corners” part).
FWIW, a computer graphic – even if it’s just a quick electronic sketch – or a scanned image would be easier to read.
If you were just throwing things on paper, your sketch might not be right, but if you tried to keep things in scale, then it is what it is. It “looks” right, as far as it goes. However, if those loops are 30" radius, then those peninsulas are 5’ wide (probably more like 6 once you add a little border at the edges), which makes that space roughly 40’ x 40’ – which is a huge layout. Moreover, since you can’t get to the back side of those areas around the edge, you’d have to reach 6’ into the shelves to reach a derailment at the back, or to do track / scenery work, and unless you’re Mr. Fantastic, that ain’t happenin’.
You may want to think more in these terms:
Fairly similar to what you’re trying to do, I think. The loops at the end are 22" radius. The “shore line” at the bottom of the left hand peninsula connects to the “rest of the world” (actually hidden staging to the left, and a discrete piece of lexan to the right to prevent trains rolling off the ends of the earth).
Hello I’m sorry for the bad pic but I am not real good with the computer. I have been trying to work with the Atlas track programs. I think its the RTS8 by the time I figured it out I have had enough of it So I get out the paper. Thanks for the help and when I get different plains I will post more. Thanks Frank
If you want to do a continuous run I would do a duck under or a liftout through your walk in area and bag the return loops. I am designing a similar layout and that is what I plan to do. Sorry, I don’t have any drawings yet.
