it seems 42" curves are the "regular" curves for Sta. Ga. Any reason for it? Largest curve that fits a 4'x8' board?
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Seems to be the best compromise of good operation and saving space
Hi Dominic. Yes 42" will fit on a 4x8 sheet of plywood. Smaller standard gauge engines and rolling stock look best I think. Drop over to the tinplate forum as quite a few of us run standard gauge.
42" was what Lionel made in the old days, that's why it's the "standard" now. Almost all of the older tinplate will run on STD-42 curves, except for the big Boucher steamers. Some of the newer Standard Gauge items like the Lionel Hiawatha and the Super 381 either won't run on STD-42 at all or become very unhappy if you make them do it. As Chris points out, the smaller engines look best on 42" curves. Wider curves are available from USA Track, which makes 42", 57", 72", and 87" curves. I have 87" USA Track on my home layout, which is a loop of Standard Gauge around the outside of an 0 gauge layout. To echo what Chris said, come join us over on the Tinplate Forum.
