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Discussion Boards => HO => Topic started by: arbasu on December 19, 2009, 11:44:01 PM

Title: What curved tracks should I buy?
Post by: arbasu on December 19, 2009, 11:44:01 PM
I am planning 2 concentric oval tracks. I have a current 18" curve tracks.
What curvature should the outside oval track be - 22" ?
Also, if I use 22" for the outside track and I wish to use a crossover-turnout on the straight part of the oval tracks (to cross between the inner and outer tracks) then will a 18" and 22" curved ones fit with the 21.5" crossover turnouts?
Title: Re: What curved tracks should I buy?
Post by: ABC on December 19, 2009, 11:46:03 PM
22" radius will work fine
Title: Re: What curved tracks should I buy?
Post by: Joe Satnik on December 20, 2009, 12:30:15 AM
Dear arbasu,

Track center-line to center-line spacing of the crossovers is 2-3/8". 

You will need to widen the inner (18"R) oval by 3-1/4".

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik
Title: Re: What curved tracks should I buy?
Post by: full maxx on December 20, 2009, 12:36:33 AM
Quote from: Joe Satnik on December 20, 2009, 12:30:15 AM
Dear arbasu,

Track center-line to center-line spacing of the crossovers is 2-3/8". 

You will need to widen the inner (18"R) oval by 3-1/4".

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik
so does this mean that 22 will be fine as in the above post or does the 18" need a 3" piece of track in the middle of the half circles but then would that not be almost 22" and the track would hit...I am unclear of what you are saying...sorry maybe I'm just dense
Title: Re: What curved tracks should I buy?
Post by: arbasu on December 20, 2009, 12:56:52 AM
Thanks for the guidance!

But I see only 2.25" track extensions - how do I make a 3.25" ?

Title: Re: What curved tracks should I buy?
Post by: ABC on December 20, 2009, 10:09:46 AM
You can cut a piece of flex track to fit, and put a roadbed (cut it to fit in between) under it then ballast it similarly to the existing E-Z track.
Title: Re: What curved tracks should I buy?
Post by: full maxx on December 20, 2009, 10:12:30 AM
Quote from: full maxx on December 20, 2009, 12:36:33 AM
Quote from: Joe Satnik on December 20, 2009, 12:30:15 AM
Dear arbasu,

Track center-line to center-line spacing of the crossovers is 2-3/8". 

You will need to widen the inner (18"R) oval by 3-1/4".

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik
so does this mean that 22 will be fine as in the above post or does the 18" need a 3" piece of track in the middle of the half circles but then would that not be almost 22" and the track would hit...I am unclear of what you are saying...sorry maybe I'm just dense
still unclear
Title: Re: What curved tracks should I buy?
Post by: Joe Satnik on December 20, 2009, 10:22:04 AM
The 3" straight is probably close enough.  Keep the crossovers in the middle of the long straight sides of the ovals to minimize the effect of the 1/4" error.   

4" radius difference (22"-18") minus the 2-3/8" crossover separation = 1-5/8" error on each side, X 2 sides = 3-1/4".

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik