I thought it would be easier to add a couple passing sidings around some 18" curves using Std. 22" EZ Track curves. Even after buying some extra "Gray" 1/3 curves and 3" straits it aint so simple. Is there any diagrams available? Such as can you use 2 Std. turnouts to create a 22" siding around an 18" 1/2 circle? Some diagrams of what "shorty" pcs. are needed to make the 2 "branches" of a Std. Turnout become parallel (as in 2 strait siding tracks) etc etc would be very helpfull. I attached 2 pcs. of 1/3 18" curve to a 30' crossing and that brings it parralell to a strait section on other side of the crossing BUT they are 6" apart instead of the 4" I need for proper 18" & 22" curves to be next to each other. (Hope that made sense) I am surprised that they don't make any 1/3 pc. of a 22" Radius Std. curve section - am I wrong? . Does the Bachmann EZ Layout book go into that much detail? I don't care about mixing black & gray track & tight radius.
Sorry for so many questions & improper lingo. I am trying to make a fairly simple (I thought) sort of folded dogbone layout 6x10' . I'd like to have the base level and the 2nd level have "independant" double track loops so that a train could run on each of 3 levels in a loop that it could only "escape" from by switching over to the inside loop in order to continue to next level.
Maybe this can't be done w/o flex track but I'd sure like to try.
Thanks anyone!
Dear Casy,
I believe you are describing an "early cutoff" turnout pair configuration.
Your basic outside loop (turnout straight routes) would be:
8 regular 22"R curves.
The inside loop (turnout divergent routes) would be:
2 regular 18"R curves, 8" of straight, 2 regular 18"R curves.
You can get 8" of straight by using 3"+3"+2", or four 2" straights.
The problem is you can only get 2" straights by purchasing a newer 90 degree crossing. (4/pkg.)
Obvious problem: 22" min. radius rolling stock will derail on the 18"R inner loop.
Hope this helps.
FT2"S ! (Free the 2" Straights !)
Sincerely,
Joe Satnik
Thanks Joe, I understand your scenario. I was hoping to have a 1/2 circle of 6pcs. 18" Std. Track surounded by 1/2 circle (8 pcs.) of Std. 22" radius track. Then have a Std. turnout with its strait section connected to the 18" circle. The turnout could have various strait sections between it and the 1/2 circle (2",2.25", 3", 4.5", 9") There must be some way to connect the TWO 1/2 circles and maintain the perfect 4" center of rail radius between the curves?
My 22" curves are on the UPS truck in case your wondering why the HECK he doesn't he just lay this out on the floor! I guess I assumed it would be easier and all I'd have to do would be throw in a couple 1/3 sections of 18" OR 22" Rad. It doesn't look like they make a 1/3 section of 22" Radiius though?
My layout is already together with all 18" curves and 3 levels with massivly steep grades! Going for max# of tunnels, bridges, crossovers. Thought it would be simple to "stretch it" by 4" or 8" per 22" radius curve to add some double track loop sections with curves exactly 4" apart. Maybe not.
Casy,
I think I understand what you want to do. Is this it?
Ignore fitter straights for this description... assume they will be calculated and used where needed.
Start with an 18"R oval.
Install "Remote switches" (turnouts) along the straight sides of the oval with their (18"R - 30 degree) divergent routes pointed outward.
Add 30 degrees of turn in the opposite direction to "get back" parallel with the straight side of the 18"R oval.
Add 1/2 circle of 22"R curves perfectly concentric with the oval's 18"R 1/2 circle, connecting to the other side's 30 degree "get back" curve and divergent route of the turnout.
Please confirm.
Thanks.
Joe
Yes that's it. Seems to me that a Std. 18" curve back towards the strait on a Std. EZ turnout comes out parallel but at 4-3/4" track centers! Does that mean I'll have to buy a "numbered" more expensive NS turnout? Intrestingly a Std. 18" curve on a 30' crossing brings tracks parallel at 5-1/4" track centers. I'm thinking 3/4" can probably be fudged together with imperfect joint alignments but won't know until I try it. Thanks.
Found this info in an old post:
"So here is what I have learned.
to get Parallel with Bachmann HO e-z track
Regular Turnout use 1 18" radius {{{Yes but at 4-3/4" track centers and about 1-1/4" different lengths}}}
#5 Turnout use 1 full piece or 2, 1/2 pieces of 33.25" radius #44508.
#6 Turnout use 1/3 18" radius.
As far as angles I don't have a clue what they are. I only care about what actually worked.
I hope this helps,
TrainHO"
GREAT Info EXCEPT - doesn't give distance between track centers! After reading many other posts I guess I'm not alone but I can't beleive Bach doesn't have some drawings. I am ready to "buy, buy buy" but can't get the info! Is there good examples in the latest Bach. Book?
Casy,
Yes,
Math says 4.823" parallel spacing. It has to be equal to or less than 4.0".
So, something has to give.
3 Ideals:
1. No cutting of turnouts or other track.
2. Perfectly concentric 18"R and 22"R half circles.
3. Use only Bachmann HO EZ-Track (eg.,no mixing with Atlas C100 Snap/cork roadbed).
So, which of the three are you willing to give up?
Joe
I see you posted again.
1.5" offset on the "remote switch" curve section, not 1.25". (Imitation of Atlas C100 Snap-Switch footprint with 1/3 curve attached.)
Other turnout info you show may not be 100% correct. (I think #5 is wrong.)
For some strange reason Bachmann keeps their critical track dimensions close to their vest. To find them out you have to
1.) guess,
2.) measure them yourself, or
3.) buy a layout program with an HO EZ-Track library.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Joe Satnik
Thanks Joe,
If it was easy everyone would be able to do it. I'll figure something out. Just worried how many unused pcs. will be leftover.
Casy,
Terry Toenges is our resident HO EZ-Track Expert/Experimenter. He can always use more track. I'd pay for the postage.
Two more ideals:
4.) Avoid buying expensive EZ-Track numbered turnouts.
5.) Keep present 18"R half circle as is.
I will help you figure out your layout, but you have to decide which ideal or ideals you want to give up.
I'm gonna guess you will go with the least expensive route, in this case, using what you have on hand or is on the way.
You'll probably want to keep the 18"R half circle as is, and allow the 22"R half circle to be modified to something other than precisely concentric with the 18"R half circle.
Let me know.
Joe
Thanks Again Joe,
Yep - I've got that short window of pretending kid is intrested so I can build what I never finished when I was 9! But can't $pend too much more w/o catching wifes attn.
-I read a post about custom cutting track by carefully measuring, cut out the middle and then join with rail joiners or solder. End result is a custom length with Bachmann Factory ends. Is that best way? Is there a hand saw or track nipper instead of spending for a Dremel Tool?
-Maybe I can use short custom pcs. of 15" Radius to get the 4" track center?
-Curious if there is sort of a track exchange between some of you guys? Do folks use the 36" strait tracks much? More expensive even at bulk price but is it worth it to have less joints?
-Wich Atlas Turnout is the exact size as a Std. Bach. least exp. model? Is it really as easy as just putting the correct thickness of material under it?
Thanks for your help.
Casy -
Maybe this will help you out.
http://www.sarget.com/trains/traintips/bach/traintip-eztrack.html (http://www.sarget.com/trains/traintips/bach/traintip-eztrack.html)
Casy,
Sorry for not replying earlier. Now I'm too tired.
I'll get back to you in the morning.
Good job searching.
Joe
Casy,
I have 2 solutions for your concentric half circles problem using Atlas snap switches and cork in place of the Bachmann "Remote Switches".
The first solution needs an extra 3/4" room for both loops on the "concentric half circles" end.
Snap switch divergent route, bare. (= 20 degrees-18"R)
(By "bare" I mean no 1/3 curve added to it.)
one 3" straight
one 2-1/4" straight
two 10 degree (=1/3) 18"R curves both opposite direction from turnout (back to parallel)
Quarter circle of 22"R curves
Mirror image the other side.
Snap switch straight route
one 4.5" straight
one 3" Straight
one 2.25" straight
Quarter circle of 18"R curves.
Mirror image on the other side.
Second solution if you can't move the loops 3/4":
Same as above, except replace 9" straight attached to points end of Snap Switch with
two 3" straights and
one 2-1/4" straight.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Joe Satnik
Terry T: Please make a note of this configuration, try it if you'd like. Shooting for perfectly concentric 18"R and 22"R half circles.
Joe - That's over the top help! Thanks! If I need MORE help do you charge per situation or number of EZ track sections involved? Other?
Dear Casy,
You're welcome. Thanks for the kind words. If you do a good job describing the situation, it's easy.
I do have new 2 pc. Bachmann power packs (44212) for sale if you ever need one.
Contact me offline joebarbATwwtDOTnet if interested.
Sincerely,
Joe Satnik
i have 18"and 22" curves in one spot .coming around the 22" outter curve .when it comes to the #5 wye . right after the curve . right b-4 the frog i am getting de-rails on some rolling stock .i have #5 at the other end of my layout along with r18 switches but that one spot is the only place .i dont see a difference in rail height and the frog appears to be fine .after the #5 i have straights going to the other #5 r-18 switches going to the 18"rad track but that one spot is the only place i am having problems.on an earlier post on layouts topic. on thortrains the layout is the 2nd line down with 22" outer and 18" rad loop .any ideas would help . gotta go check our blaster im at work . lol but can't stop thinking about my trains .....regards mark f
i came home 3:30 am from work . my gf is having sergery at 5:30 .so anyway i ran my trains counter clockwise running straight through the #5 wye then into the 22"curve was fine . when i ran clockwise coming from the 22"rad then to the #5 wye i derail . "not my loco rolling stock" right before the frog . could this be a weight problem . also i noticed .im using my switches manuel now i still have to do the wiring. but the switch rail when moved in manuel seemed to move to freely . when i was at the hobby shop today i picked up some lead weights to weigh in my rolling stock .i was reading on the nmra site about the length of car and weight standards. they start with the 35' car and go up . i looked at the ajoining track and rails and it seems to be smooth but the one spot at the wye im having troubles. maybe i should chang it out im not sure ......regards mark f
Dear Mark,
Take a truck off the bottom of one of your cars.
Push the truck around your layout with your finger lightly pressing down.
You should be able to feel and hear the trouble spot.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Joe Satnik
Edit: added "lightly"
The simulated airhose on the coupler may be catching on the frog when moving in that direction.
Don
Mark,
Yampa Bob said it much better than I:
"Run a loose truck with metal wheels back and forth through the turnout with an index finger, listen and feel for any bumps or catching on the points, frog or wing rails."
I would add "Run across the track joints, too."
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Joe Satnik
thanks for the info . i also bought a coupler gage sunday .and will do that as well this week . i ran this mourning when i got home from work . both loops running clock wise forward . one loco pulling 7 cars hoppers and boxers and caboose . the other pulling 4 . both loops ran good . just the other direction .i was going to ask the perks in using the single truck .and will do that . thanks mr.jim &yampa bob. i did it with a 35' flat .but think the single truck like you say will be better as well . i did notice that the ez track does have some rail alignment issues . i know its quick .and i went all out . but over all i,m happy with it . my 0 gage i use fast track and have an 8x12 layout and on the elevated at 0 theres a small pivot and at your peak theres a pivot and cornering some times is a problem . im not gonna be the pigion .im gonna be around for awhile . its great to meet and see what i call good people and friends ........i was trying to upload some pics of my layout and the site wont let me . i think there to big and maybe i should zip them . have a great day . and will let you know the outcome ... regards markf