I am designing a industrial layout using Lance Mindheim’s suggested guidelines. The one issue I am having is with spacing between parallel tracks. In his book “How to design a Small Switching Layout” he suggests 2" between tracks. Does he mean 2" from track edge to track edge or 2" between track centers (HO scale)?
Thanks in advance.
He means 2" on center … at least, that’s what I use as a minimum in HO Scale.
Brad
You didn’t mention what era, length of cars you are modeling, but it will have an effect on track spacing on parallel tracks on curves. The longer the cars being run, the wider the spacing between tracks will be required.
Ain’t no such thing as parallel tracks on curves. Concentric curves are exactly that, curves of different radii with a common center point.
The best way to determine how much concentric curve radii should vary is to lay test curves and run your possible sideswipe candidates past each other. Worst case is an honest Big Boy (rear engine fixed to boiler) on the inside track passing a full-length passenger car on the outside track. If you own a Schnabel car all bets are off.
My favorite way to widen parallel tracks (50mm on centers) to concentric curves 60mm on centers is to play with the spiral easements. The inner track has a longer easement and an extra 10mm offset from curve to tangent. Of course, this also implies having a lot of space for one’s empire.
Incidentally, while I model in 1:80 scale, I use NMRA HO track clearance standards.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
I was not refering to track on curves but normal, straight track. And, its a modern day indutrial layout.
hi
for curves study the NMRA information:
http://www.nmra.org/standards/sandrp/s-8.html
for straights; it is up to you; 2" will do, a bit less too like 1 4/5", though if you want a bit more space for your fingers for easy (un)coupling or fixing derailments you might prefer 3". Probably the distance to the edge of the layout could have its influence as well.
Paul
A 2" on center separation for straight, parallel tracks is what I use, namely because I have a few Walthers Shinohara double crossovers on my layout and the two parallel tracks have a 2" separation. Also, I use Atlas Custom Line #6 turnouts, and two turnouts set up as a crossover also measure 2" on center.
In areas of my layout where there are no such specialty tracks, I use a 2 1/4" on center separation between two parallel straight tracks because I prefer that separation distance.
I might add that 3" on center seems a bit much.
Rich
Hi,
I agree with the previous comments on the 2 inches tangent, 2 1/4 curve, but want to add:
before you finalize that curved setting, try out your longest cars (a couple on each track) and roll them back and forth to see how much clearance at a minimum you really have. Don’t forget, sometimes at speed cars will lean somewhat on curves too.
on hidden or hard to get to staging/storage tracks, experiment with separation distances - keeping in mind that your “0-5-0” switcher may have to access certain cars in a crowded environment.
Good point mobilman. I use a pair of 85’ boxcars to test passing on curves, one boxcar on each of my double main line tracks.
Rich
Rich this won’t always allow the proper clearance needed. A long piece of rolling stock on the outer rail is fine , however, cab/ pilot overhang on the innertrack generally will need greater clearance. This all depends on the era and equipment you want to run (or will ever run in the future). I agree w/ Chuck as to to 2" spacing and increase the distance trough the easement to at least 2 1/4". If very large equipment and long cars are used, the turn separation may need to be opened up to 2 1/2".
As to the 2" track centers for the yard tracks, test the 2" and see if you are comfortable w/ that spacing for adaquate “Finger” room to place or rerail a piece of rolling stock. 2’ generally works great in most cases but if you have “Fat” fingers open it up a bit.
Hi again,
One of the worst collisions you can have is a sideswipe on a curved double main. It’s bad enough with rolling stock, but really nasty with locos. The point is, make sure all your large pieces with overhangs have all the room they need for clearance.
It depends on where your parallel tracks are and how they will be used. In our club yard we expanded the width between tracks so that the operator could see down between the cars to read the reporting marks. This also aid in getting “fingers” in between to pick up cars.
On the other hand on my industrial switching layout I have a set of three tracks serving a freight warehouse that are on 1 9/16’ centers. This puts the three rows of cars so close to each other that the HO scale people unloading the cars can open all the doors, put a ramp between the cars and unload the out-track cars through the center and in-track cars. It looks really cool. No I didn’t think of it on my own. I saw it in one of those “how the prototype does it” book/magazines somewhere.
One thing a model railroad deals with on track spacing is our tight corners. The tighter the corners the more space between the rails is required. The longer the cars the more space between the rails is required on that same curve. My “tight” tracks at the industry above are 100% straight. My biggest car that goes in there is a 50’. In general I would have no problem with 2" centers on curves 44" and larger. I have a tiny layout with 15" and 18" dual track so the spacing is 3".
