Help with Track Spacing

[leachus2002]

Hi All,

A newbie here. Hello everyone.

I am now living my childhood dream and creating a layout in my loft space at home, I am currently designing the layout, but I am struggling with working out track spacing. I am aware of the 6ft - 10ft - 6ft rule for straight sections, but I am struggling to work out spacing for corners - for example, my straights will be 50mm apart in 00 gauge - but around corners, this will need to be more I expect - especially as my eurostar takes up most of that on the corners.

Can anyone advise on proper spacing for corners, or point me to a useful resource to research myself?

Thanks in advance

Matt

[Flashbang]

Hi All,

A newbie here. Hello everyone.

I am now living my childhood dream and creating a layout in my loft space at home, I am currently designing the layout, but I am struggling with working out track spacing. I am aware of the 6ft - 10ft - 6ft rule for straight sections, but I am struggling to work out spacing for corners - for example, my straights will be 50mm apart in 00 gauge - but around corners, this will need to be more I expect - especially as my eurostar takes up most of that on the corners.

Can anyone advise on proper spacing for corners, or point me to a useful resource to research myself?

Thanks in advance

Matt
Hi Matt
"CORNERS" really!! They are CURVES :) ;)
You mention 50mm track centre spacing, so by this I assume you're using Streamline type points with flexible track rather than sectional track?

Your CURVES will need a small amount of easement if they are to a tight radius. Though most users of flexible track (Streamline etc) will try to obtain the largest possible radius, with 24 inches (approx 600mm) being the minimum! This then will in most cases allow two long carriages to pass each other. But at the track laying stage you should test with two long carriages one on the inner curve with its end against the outer curves carriage centre.
Adjusting the outer curve to a slightly great radius (Increasing the centre to centre tracks distance!) if the two collide.

[leachus2002]

Hi Flashbang,

My many humble apoligies - I must read up on my termonology ;) he he. :)

Thanks for the reply - yes I am using peco flexitrack to lay most of my layout because it is cheaper - and you can do more with it. I have bit's of sectional track, so will use that in places, but I just want a general concensus of measurements - your answer is spot on - thank you!

What would you personally recommend as a radius for a 90 degree bend then? 24inches or more?

Thanks
Matt

[Flashbang]

Hi Flashbang,

My many humble apoligies - I must read up on my termonology ;) he he. :)

Thanks for the reply - yes I am using peco flexitrack to lay most of my layout because it is cheaper - and you can do more with it. I have bit's of sectional track, so will use that in places, but I just want a general concensus of measurements - your answer is spot on - thank you!

What would you personally recommend as a radius for a 90 degree bend then? 24inches or more?

Thanks
Matt
Hi Matt
It all depends on the room available? If you have the room then go for the largest possible radius. It looks more life like. But we all have restraints, so often 20" inches or less has to be used! :(
Personally on my layout I have restricted all curves to a absolute minimum of 24 inches.
This is possibly the tightest one I have which is at 24" inches on the inner track nearest the wall. To me it still looks too sharp!

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z311/Flash_bang/IMG_0979.jpg