031 VERSUS 036

First, a bit of clarification:  027, 031, 036 refer to the diameter of the track curves, not the gauge.  The gauge of the track is it's with between the outside rails.  027, 031 and 036 all share the same gauge, O gauge in this case.  

Most engines will have a "minimum" curve specification.  An engine with an 031 minimum will operate perfectly on 031 and larger (031, 036, 042, etc).  So, 036 FasTrack will work perfectly with your GG1 that is spec'd for 031.

Personally, I like the largest curve I can fit.  The engines look more natural navigating wider turns.

Tony

Tony,

 Thanks for the reply and clarification.  I agree it would be nice to go with 072 and MTH has a beautiful GG1 for 072 but I doubt I will ever have room for that so I must pick a happy medium and 036 sounded like the right one, not too much and not too little.  It also seems popular which means it should be readily available.

 Jim

Go with the largest diameter track that you can. I have 0-54 and operate a Premier MTH Allegheny, you can too. But 0-36 is better than or 0-31 and certainly better than nothing . The GG-1 should be fine

Jim,

You are welcome!

Here is a bit of a more advanced idea, use 072 as your lead in and out of an 036 curve.  I've attached an RR Track output to show you what it looks like.  What this does for you is gives an easier transition to the 036 curve, somewhat simulating a much wider curve.  I did this on a holiday layout and it looks great.  It fits easily on a 4x8.

Most of all, welcome back to the hobby and HAVE FUN!!!

Tony

Your Railking loco will run fine on O36 curves and switches. Bigger curves are nice if you have the room for them but there are plenty of engines, freight and passenger cars that will run on O36 track.

The larger the radius/diameter, the easier your model RR life will be. This really applies to switches - more than it does to curves - in a big way. Just because the box says "O-XX compatible", it does not mean that it will be happy with your track on your layout and your track laying standards, so the farther away from the limits the better.

In fact, the perfect railroad has no curves, no grades and no switches. Each of these things is a trap.

Tony_V posted:

Jim,

You are welcome!

Here is a bit of a more advanced idea, use 072 as your lead in and out of an 036 curve.  I've attached an RR Track output to show you what it looks like.  What this does for you is gives an easier transition to the 036 curve, somewhat simulating a much wider curve.  I did this on a holiday layout and it looks great.  It fits easily on a 4x8.

Most of all, welcome back to the hobby and HAVE FUN!!!

Tony

Great idea thanks!

I run O42, and I'm going to pick up some O72 and try this

dgauss posted:

Go with the largest diameter track that you can. I have 0-54 and operate a Premier MTH Allegheny, you can too. But 0-36 is better than or 0-31 and certainly better than nothing . The GG-1 should be fine

I could go with 042 but not beyond that in case I decide to put it on a conventional platform someday.

Tony_V posted:

Jim,

You are welcome!

Here is a bit of a more advanced idea, use 072 as your lead in and out of an 036 curve.  I've attached an RR Track output to show you what it looks like.  What this does for you is gives an easier transition to the 036 curve, somewhat simulating a much wider curve.  I did this on a holiday layout and it looks great.  It fits easily on a 4x8.

Most of all, welcome back to the hobby and HAVE FUN!!!

Tony

Thanks, that's pretty cool.

Foxer55 posted:

Tony_V posted:

Jim,

You are welcome!

Here is a bit of a more advanced idea, use 072 as your lead in and out of an 036 curve.  I've attached an RR Track output to show you what it looks like.  What this does for you is gives an easier transition to the 036 curve, somewhat simulating a much wider curve.  I did this on a holiday layout and it looks great.  It fits easily on a 4x8.

Most of all, welcome back to the hobby and HAVE FUN!!!

Tony

Thanks, that's pretty cool.

This type of curve will reduce the length of the straight track between the ends on a 4 x 8 table, thus reducing your options to work in switches.

If you are not working in a group of switches, say, for a figure 8, then use the O72 in the front half for a smoother presentation of the train to viewers.The center and the rear can be the smaller size.

Edit: This doesn't work with RealTrax due to the radius of the curves available.