Hi I'm new to N gauge, I had a 00 many years ago.
I want to build a small circle track using most likely peco track. What radius curves will I need to get smallest circle please?
Thanks
Welcome to the forum gman3000 :NGaugersRule:
The locos you want to run will dictate which radii you go for ;)
cheers John.
Welcome to the forum.
Peco makes 1st radius curves of 9 inches but a lot of the newer locomotives are designed for 2nd radius curves.
If using 1st radius curves you will need to buy small tank engines or diesel shunters to guarantee they run on your layout.
If you have a bit more space then 2nd radius curves will allow you to run a lot more.
The Peco website has quite a bit of information about all their track and supposedly has templates that you can download but the links didn't work so I had to email them to get templates.
I'm trying to understand the relation between radius and what the overall circle width will be.
Thansk
Could you give us an idea of what size baseboard you are going to have?
Someone can then give a bit more advice as to what curves would suit etc.
Radius is distance from centre of the circle to the track, equals half the diameter
which is total width of the circle. Small diesel locos with bogies like class 25 can
run on fairly small circles.
The smallest possible as in a small flat.
In that case you should be able to have a layout with a diameter of about 18 inches to 24 inches.
Just a thought. Could you have an end to end layout ? That might provide you with a better use of space if space is at a premium and give you scope for more operational interest. As an example, you could fit quite a bit onto a board of say 4ft by 18inches.
So peco radius 1 are 9"" so that diameter of 18""
Why not download Anyrail then you can plan your layout better and you will be able to see what radius track will fit in the space you have.
http://www.anyrail.com/index_en.html (http://www.anyrail.com/index_en.html)
Quote from: gman3000 on June 26, 2014, 09:51:31 PM
So peco radius 1 are 9"" so that diameter of 18""
That's it exactly! Radius always half the diameter.
Am I correct in thinking that the radius is measured to the centre line of the rails, not to the outer edge of the track?
Correct :thumbsup:
Paul
Welcome to the forum, gman3000! :wave:
I actually have a America loco
Quote from: gman3000 on June 26, 2014, 08:31:05 PM
The smallest possible as in a small flat.
If you're in a small flat, would it be more convenient to do what the Japanese (and some of us) do and buy Kato which you can be put down and taken up again with ease? Or is it scenery on a base board the kind of thing you'd like?
Quote from: d-a-n on June 27, 2014, 10:31:55 PM
Quote from: gman3000 on June 26, 2014, 08:31:05 PM
The smallest possible as in a small flat.
If you're in a small flat, would it be more convenient to do what the Japanese (and some of us) do and buy Kato which you can be put down and taken up again with ease? Or is it scenery on a base board the kind of thing you'd like?
I've combined both in the past for my desktop layout. Fixed scenic end to end section with a small shunting yard on a baseboard at the back of my desk and when I was running it (or not just shunting on it) I attached kato track as a dog bone loop to each end to make it a loop (it had a hidden return line at the back of the scenic section).
That way the layout takes up a minimal amount of space and looks pretty good when not running, but can be a longer run when operational.
Well I was thinking a little scenery to start. I could probably 24" width board.
If you are very short of space think about a moveable baseboard that could be propped against the wall when not in use.
You can get a good little layout in 4ft x 2ft or even smaller,this is my last little one but you could make one that is completely open on flat baseboard if you so wish.So much can be achieved in N Gauge.
(http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z212/Y12Will/30_zpscf96a2fe.jpg) (http://s195.photobucket.com/user/Y12Will/media/30_zpscf96a2fe.jpg.html)