I am running 2 concentric ovals 22"and18"

22 and 18 are connected with 2 Right Hand 6s and then again 2 right hand 6s to create siding off the 18 that can be accessed by the trains on the 22

NO REVERSE SWITCHES though

I just ran a 484 with 5 40' gondolas and 3 40' boxes from the 22 to the siding off the 18 I also backed her out with no problems

You can see the caboose in the lower left as she sits on the siding

I have 2 oval layout with an 18 and a 22

My rolling freight is limited to 40' or shorter

My largest passenger cars are Old Time Overlands --they stay on the 22"oval

I run my 4-8-2 and 2-8-2 only on the 22"
The 2-6-0  2-6-2  4-4-0  4-6-0 are used on the 18"
My 2-8-0 run on both

I just added a 4-8-4 and it runs the 22" decently

However I am going to add 4"to the width of my layout and run 24 and 22 ovals
The 18 will go  bye bye

Quote from: Joe Satnik on April 18, 2009, 09:28:17 AM
Dear uncbob,

It's a beginners page with general statements explaining that a higher number turnout "takes up more space", or "is longer" than a lower number turnout.

I'll bet that you could get the author to change it. 

I would edit it to something like "Just as 22" radius curves take up more space than 18" radius curves, #6 turnouts take up more space than #4 turnouts."

When you want to get down to specifics, go with RP-12 and Armstrong.


Dear rustyrails,

I've said many times over that if there is room, start with a 5' width, (=30" arm reach) which allows up to 28" radius curves.  If short on room, put it up against a wall and use casters to roll it out and access the other side. 

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik   

Agree on the 5'width wish I could find an extra ft but my aisle is 30"now --I may add 4 inches to my 48 so I can use a 24"radius

And as far as the 4X8 --I have a 4 by 10 and I run  a 22"radius no problem so guys with 4X8 sheets of plywood don't have to use 18"--you can go 22"--you just will not have staging on the outside

The PRR museum in Strasberg PA has a NP Berk on display outside
Unfortunately the weather and the birds are not kind to it

Quote from: Joe Satnik on April 18, 2009, 01:07:00 AM
Dear uncbob,

RCR = Dimension #11

http://www.nmra.org/standards/sandrp/rp12_3.html

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

This is from their beginners page under track

"It does take up more space, though, since it is longer. In sectional track. you could consider the No. 4 to be like an 18" radius curve and the No. 6 a 22". "

http://www.nmra.org/beginner/track.html

?

I just got my Bachman 10 wheeler and 4-4-0
Great looking models --I haven't put my 2-8-0 28-2 or 4-8-2 on the tracks since these little guys came

One thing is they seem awful small

I also had IHC 2-6-0 and 4-4-0 --great runners but not as detailed as the Bachmans but one thing the IHCs are larger engines
Anybody know if the IHC represents  larger models or just out of scale

Did it come with jumper plugs to bypass the DCC
Since you are running DC I would install them  and see what happens

Thanks

Never could understand the rational of easements

For example if you are using an 18 inch radius I assume it is because you don't have room for a larger diameter

Using easements takes up more room so why not just go with a larger diameter

In several topics it has been stated Bachman tenders are under weight
How do you add weight--where and what is used

Quote from: SteamGene on March 29, 2009, 03:56:02 PM
Mixed radii is called "easement."  From the straight, use one section of 22", then 18", with the last piece being another 22."  You can do the same thing with other radii.  But DON'T do the reverse. 
So what is the problem with roadbed and flex-track.  The one thing I'll say about flex track is that my experience shows a problem using it with tight radii.  I think that tighter than 24" you may be best off with sectional track.
Gene

Do you get a full half circle diameter with parallel tangents that way ?

N&W for $189.99

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/category_s/1725.htm

Thanks

Anybody know what the color coding scheme is on the 2 cables

Quote from: Joe Satnik on March 29, 2009, 07:57:35 AM

Quote from: danmerkel on March 28, 2009, 09:29:11 PM
While you are at it, you might as well include turnouts as well... a lot of people don't think about them as being a source of problems radius-wise, but they can be...

dlm

The radius that Dan is referencing is called the "Radius of the Closure Rail" or "RCR". 

John Armstrong's book "Track Planning for Realistic Operation, 3rd Edition" has a chart with various numbered turnouts in various scales and their critical dimensions.

The RCR is the tightest radius turn that a loco or other rolling stock will see on the divergent route. 

From Figure 6-4, pg. 78, Armstrong:

Note: Atlas #4 is actually a #4-1/2

HO scale

Turnout number, RCR(inches)

4,          15"
4-1/2,    22"
5,          26"
6,          43"
8,          67"

It is a good idea to match the RCR with your layout's minimum radius. 

If RCR smaller than minimum radius curve, layout's minimum radius is lowered.

If RCR larger than minimum radius, too much real estate (length) is taken up by the turnout.

If I were to err, it would be to the next (higher) turnout number...

Hope this helps,

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik       

The NMRA site says to consider a #4 as an 18"and a #6 as a 22"