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aaaagh! The Radius Question

1237 Views 4 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  bluey robinson, 
bluey robinson
G'day Gentlemen,

I am in the planning stages of setting up a railroad in my garage and am looking for input as to the hoary question of Radius to return at each end of the layout. I can afford about 5.5 metres of wall space and I am doing a single track "oval" with a minimum of points in HO.Peco settrack code 100. It will be as early british as I can "produce". some rolling green countyside, meandering track, picturesque bridge, some bucolic cows, a rural station (Tunbridge Wells has piqued my imagination!).

But before I can begin there's a bit to get ordered first. For my ends would I be skimping too much to go for a radius 3 (45degrees), R2, R2, R3? , I am also musing whether to go R4 (22.5degrees) R3, R2, R3, R4.

Experience will tell me if I got it wrong (Which is why I am not considering R1, been there done that) Your advice will probably save me an annoying layout. I am just trying to be miserly with my layout width!!!!

All comments welcome

Cheers from Mr Newbie, Bluey.
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R
If the curves are going to be inside the scenic area, then I would use the largest radius that you can fit in, made with flexitrack and include transistion curves. This will make it look much more realistic. If they are going to be off-scene, possibly in a tunnel, then it does not matter so much. However, I would still not go below radius 3 and preferably radius 4.

Good luck with the project, Robert.
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R
Just thought of something that I didn't put in my earlier reply. If you are putting the layout in the gaage, had you thought of going round all four sides. With fairly narrow baseboards, I think you will find that it uses no more space and possibly less. Also there is no stretching to reach the far side. You can always make some form of lifting flap to cross a doorway.
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