If it takes 16 pieces of 22" radius curved track to make a circle, How many inches is the diamenter measure accross the center. The area I want to curve around is 8' wide. I want to run up one side and curve back on the other side in a 8' wide layout. Or can I use 36" Flex track bended to make this curve back. I want to be able to run long steam loco's.
Diameter (d) = 2 x radius (r)
If you are going to run long steam and you have eight feet in which to put your turn, you have have a much broader radius than 22 inches.
Gene
topsir2,
If you want to run long steam locos, you want the largest radius you can fit. 36" is a good standard for modeling in HO and being able to run just about anything. 42 or 48 is even better. 22" is no where near big enough for the longest steam locos to look good or run well.
Sheldon
The diameter of 22" curves is 46" measured on the outside of the roadbed.