Curve clearance recommendations

I've seen 5 1/2 inches used.  That's a scale 22 feet.  You measure the the distance from the top of the rails to underside of the obstruction (roadbed).  The standard grade or rate of rise  should be about  1/4 inch for every 10 inches (piece of full track).  This is a 2.5 percent grade (the rise divided by the run).

Jan

Thank you Jan,

I was aware of grade percentages but being in HO primarily I was lost for clues as to O-Gauge. This really helps me Jan. Do you or anyone else know what the Graduated Trestle Set by Lionel equates to as far as percentage?

Happy Holidays to all and Thank you again.

Robert

Was the original question about "Curve clearance recommendations" as suggested by the heading ?

Yes Ace,

It sure was and I was asking about side cleaces as well as vertical clearances. What are the recommended standards when using O-36 curves and say High Cube box cars?

Robert

Robert,

The clearance sideways from the track is variable. It depends a lot on what equipment he plans to run.

Starter set stuff won't pose much in the way of issues where a Big Boy 4-8-8-4 or Scale passenger cars will pose a massive problem.

For "Traditional equipment, 2" clearance from the side of the track base or tie ends will generally do.  I'm running a starter set on O-36 for the Tree layout and I have presents stacked touching the roadbed on straights and back a couple inches on the curves.

For Big stuff you may need up to 5" between tracks in a curve and 4" from scenery from the track edge.

I had to move track away the the wall on my basement due to my Big Boy's cab hitting at 4" spacing when it started the turn away from the wall. OUCH!!! (Granite wall)

Thank you Russell,

That helps me. Yes, its mostly traditional stuff we'll be running. No articulateds. Ours is an expanded Christmas layout using Fastrack and O-36 curves. Am making a tunnel and therefor needed to have an idea what clearances I needed without going to an extreme.

Robert

Why don't you mock up some track and do some measurements with your particular rolling stock etc. Don't you think you would end up with an empirical answer rather than polling opinions here?

Good point .. but ... I set up a lot of double-track expecting to have mostly smaller equipment. Then I ended up getting a Big Boy loco cuz it was a deal I couldn't refuse. Then I ended up respacing a lot of track. So I can see why polling for additional input can be useful !

OK...but I thought this was a Christmas layout. Next year it could be different, when they put the Big Boy on. Then they could re-measure again.

Most Fastrack configurations give you 6 inch center-to-center spacing. If you are creative with your track assembly you can get closer. With traditional O27 stuff you can almost lay the track with no spacing and have no problems. With scale sized stuff just stick with 6 inch for problem free operation.

For elevated track, a 6 inch height works for scale sized stuff. If O27, you may be able to bring that down to 5 inch.

Thank you to all that have replied and if any additional tips or suggestion come forth, dont stop. Every little bit helps me.

You know, I cant understand why I didnt think of setting track pieces up and putting the largest rolling stock on track and getting measurements? That would have logical....but not me.

Yes, its only a Christmas layout but there may be a permanent setting and I do want it to grow but that doesn't mean I cant take track up and re-lay.

Robert

For a quick and easy tunnel I use the 12 pack soda boxes designed to fit in the fridge..

Just open the ends and tape them to the next box. I then tape a Tunnel portal to the end and I'm done. Since I'm stacking presents all around the train tracks, the tunnel makes it easy.

Kids LOVE 'em.

If you are averse to the markings on the boxes, turn them inside out. The raw brown paperboard takes paint well.

For tunnels with O-31 or tighter curves in them cut the box in half lengths (keep one wall intact, make a crease there). Place with the uncut wall inside the curve and fill in the outside wall as needed.