what turn radius

zachary

Member
hello all i would like to know what type of curve radius i can get on a five foot wide layout and will it be large enough for large locos i know this has probaly been posted more than a fair share of times but i couldnt find anything useing the search thanks zachary flowe
 
Do the math! You've got 60" to play with, minus a couple of inches on each edge for clearance and safety, bring it down to maybe 54". That'd be the diameter. Halve it to get the radius: 27"
 

eightyeightfan1

Now I'm AMP'd
A lot of the large steam(Big Boys, Challengers, Alleghenys do require at least a 24" radius, but can run on a 22'. 27" they will not only run good, but look pretty good also.
Should have no problem with the big modern diesels.
 

wjstix

Member
A quick way to estimate what will fit is to figure you want around 2" between the edge of the table and the track, so take the width of the benchwork/train table, subtract 4" (2" on each side of the table). That gives you the diameter of the circle of track, divide in two for the radius.

So 5 ft. wide = 60" wide; 60-4=56". Divide by 2 = 28" radius curve.

Now you probably don't want the track too close to the edge, and you might want to allow another inch or so for scenery so you might want to go an inch or two tighter, but 28" radius would be the absolute largest you could fit in. 26"-28" radius should work for pretty much anything you'd want to run. Walthers passenger cars require 24" radius curves, even big steam (BLI 2-10-4) will go around 24" radius curves.
 

zachary

Member
thanks guys for your help on this i am comeing back to ho defitinely even if it is a small setup thanks zachary flowe
 

Russ Bellinis

Active Member
If you need to get too close to the edge of the benchwork for comfort in order to get a larger radius, just use a piece of flexible masonite about 2-3 inches tall around the edge of the layout to make a catch fence. You could do the same thing with a piece of clear plexiglass.
 

zachary

Member
russ thanks i am going to use a 26 inch radius that should do for what i am planning on im planning a engine repair shop with a loop aruound it so i can do some contiuse running thanks again zachary flowe
 

sgtcarl

Member
May I make a suggestion? If you have a flat, narrow edge on your layout, try using some foam pipe insulation to keep equipment from going over the edge. (plus, it's softer to lean on, if you need to make a long reachsign1.)
 
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