Hi, I am new to n scale and need some help. I am working on a layout but was wondering what the minimum curve should be for larger steam locomotives. Does anyone know a good hobby shop in Phoenix, AZ that carries a good variety of n scale track, accessories, and trains?
Any other recommendations are highly appreciated!
Thanks
Shorter cars (i.e. 40’ boxcar) and engines can easily handle a smaller radius. Longer cars (i.e passenger) require a larger radius. Even if your larger cars/engines can handle a smaller radius, the car overhang may not be pleasing to the eye in operations – Let alone risking derailments.
Radius size is also determined by the available layout dimensions with a bearing upon what rolling stock and engines you “may safely use.”
[1] Refer to Atlas N Scale Track for track radius perspective. Suggestion: Try going no smaller than an 11" track radius (requiring a minimum of 2’ layout space) unless you are doing traction with engines that can easily handle a much smaller radius.
[2] Take a gander at Spookshow’s N Scale Model Railroading and his “thinking out-loud” experiences from a half-dozen layouts at Modeling Blogs. Return the next day to truly understand what you missed on your first trip to Spookshow.
[3] See Dave Vollmer’s N ScaleJuniata Division for what can be done on 2 doors.
[4] “102 Realistic Track Plans” and “43 Track Plans from the Experts” would also help to plan what you can and cannot do with your layout design – Which in turn, tells you how to plan for radius size. See Kalmbach’s Special Issues.
Athearn recommends a minimum curve of 11 in. for their Challenger and 12 in. for the Big Boy.Intermountain do recommend a minimum 15 in. for their Cabforward.These are minimum radiuses that these models can handle without derailing at the price of awkward looking overhangs.To look good however,big N scale steamers require much larger curves like 20+ in. radiuses.
The National Model Railroad Association Standards and Recommended Practices are a good startng point for answering most questions of the type you asked.
RP-11 Curvature and Rolling Stock.:
Without all the NMRA gibberish here’s the simple solution.
The rule of thumb for large N Scale steamers,long freight and passenger cars is nothing less then 15".
I always recommend the larger 18-22" curves for those engines and long cars.
Know and understand a 12" curve could be used but,the overhang would be terrible
Try:
Roy’s Train World
1033 S Country Club Dr
(Country Club Dr 1 Blk N of Southern Ave
on the E side of the street)
Mesa
(480)833-4353
They have a good supply of N-Scale material and what they may not have on hand they can get muy pronto.
(If you are new to the Southwest that’s Spanish which a recent SCOTUS decision said is going to become the language of preference down here!)
Roy’s Trains on Country club road just north of southern on east side, drive slow north from the 60 and you will see it. Tim or Pete good help and very friendly.
magi46 - Welcome to trains.com! [C):-)]
Thanks Stourbridge Lion