Banked tight curves

rattler21 posted:

Insulated wire beneath the ties will super-elevate you track.  John in Lansing, ILL

Excellent idea - KISS!!!

I have a carpet central using Fastrack 036 curves and for banking the curves I use long rubber erasers with very good results.

The HO cork roadbed is 3/16" thick. You would need #5 wire for that thickness. probably cheaper and easier to find the HO roadbed. perhaps use some N for the transition.

I used stiff clothes line, between the plywood base and the Homasote road bed.  Gargraves track.

I am only running traditional 027 type PW Lionel. 

Hey thanks for the ideas.  Some insulated wire experiment due to happen.

Moonman posted:

The HO cork roadbed is 3/16" thick. You would need #5 wire for that thickness. probably cheaper and easier to find the HO roadbed. perhaps use some N for the transition.

I don't know about cork roadbed being cheaper.  Insulated wire by the foot is pretty cheap and you can pick it up at any hardware store.  If you're not going to ballast I can see the advantage of using cork roadbed.

Tom Tee posted:

Banking 13.5" radius 0 gauge track?   Is that correct?

In real life railroading, sharp curves are typically not super elevated, because speeds must be slow and therefore there is no need for it.  However, when running O gauge trains on traditional Lionel track at traditional speeds, a little superelevation could be insurance against overturning.

American Flyer made banked track like this:

Since you're using O27 track, you might consider cannibalizing wood clothespins to fashion wedges for placement under the track ties:

That is, unless you're skillful enough to make your own wedges with precision.

What, me worry?

Tom TEE:Banking 13.5" radius 0 gauge track?   Is that correct?

I use 031  lionel and K line tubular track.  When banked I was able to run short 027 equipment( sometimes fast) without fear of derailment. lol! very postwar thrills without spills.

will send a photo of how that looked. not only great inward leaning but looked so cool as well.

Alfred E. Neuman,   American flyer banked track photo is interesting, never seen this stuff.

Clothes pins wedges ! Brilliant idea. I just bought a bag of wooden clothes super elevated pins.

thank you for the great ideas.

Alfred E Neuman posted:

American Flyer made banked track like this:

Since you're using O27 track, you might consider cannibalizing wood clothespins to fashion wedges for placement under the track ties:

 

I thought American Flyer was 2 rail S gauge track, that looks like 3 rail O gauge track to me.

Pieces of cut off Popsicle sticks, painted black work for me.  I can stack with one being about 1/16 inch high.

Charlie

This is Prewar AF O gauge track, and it works nicely.

I agree, I have been acquiring american flyer prewar banked track for my next layout.

it is 040 diameter so some of my prewar streamliners might run better on it.