Curiosity - Which easement makes better turns (or is it a personal preference)?

The 2x060, 3x048, 2x060 looks right.

@Dave_C posted:

The 2x060, 3x048, 2x060 looks right.

Thanx @Dave_C. Is it because it is symmetrical or ...?

The better it allows an engine and cars to go around a turn without derailing the better the easement.  Gradual is the key.

The one Dave chose looks right.  Some short straight pieces at the crest of the turn and some half sections would work as well.

Example:  048 -30 Deg, 048-15Deg, 036-45Deg, 1-3/4", 1-3/8", 1-3/4", 036-45Deg, 048-15Deg, 048-30Deg.

John

Don't forget to plan for overhang. On such relatively tight curves, the front of many locomotives and the ends of long cars such as passenger cars will overhang the outside of the curve considerably. If a 5-foot width is your limit, and if there are any backdrop walls involved, the 2nd and 4th options might not allow enough clearance.

@BruceG posted:

If a 5-foot width is your limit, and if there are any backdrop walls involved, the 2nd and 4th options might not allow enough clearance.

There is always this:

John

My personal preference is to have the broadest curves at the middle to give a sweeping appearance. To me the 48s in the middle fed by the 60s looks too squished. Like oops I ran out of space, here are sharp curves to fix it. To my eye, even the 1/2 60 1/2 48 looks better than the 48s in the middle.

The interesting thing would be to run a long consist through the choices at varying speeds to check for increased amp draw or tendencies to derail.  Of course if you can run 48s and toss in a couple of 60s (because you have some extra room) does it really make any difference operationally?

@Pappu posted:

Thanx @Dave_C. Is it because it is symmetrical or ...?

The purpose of the easement is to "ease" the cars into the curve.  Obviously, the locomotive and cars has to be capable of handling the O48 curves in this example, but they look better doing it when going in and coming out of the curve if you have easements.

For grades, you run into the same issue of easements starting and finishing the grade.

@Craftech posted:

The better it allows an engine and cars to go around a turn without derailing the better the easement.  Gradual is the key.

The one Dave chose looks right.  Some short straight pieces at the crest of the turn and some half sections would work as well.

Example:  048 -30 Deg, 048-15Deg, 036-45Deg, 1-3/4", 1-3/8", 1-3/4", 036-45Deg, 048-15Deg, 048-30Deg.

John

Thanx John (@Craftech).

Just to confirm - with your suggestion - this would be for trains with a radius of O36? Train with larger radii would not work, right?

@BruceG posted:

Don't forget to plan for overhang. On such relatively tight curves, the front of many locomotives and the ends of long cars such as passenger cars will overhang the outside of the curve considerably. If a 5-foot width is your limit, and if there are any backdrop walls involved, the 2nd and 4th options might not allow enough clearance.

@BruceG - good point.