FastTrack question!

Mautner posted:

Probably a silly question, but is it possible to alternate Lionel FastTrack O36 and O48 curves to make a 40 inch curve?

I would believe it might look funny but why not.

fastrack is good track and our preferred track for train give away. 

Yes, but that  would be pretty strange looking..... Start with the wider ones and then go narrower.... I've done 2 O-81, then 4 O-72 and then back to 2 O-81's......

The geometry doesn't work well; O36@45 degrees vs. O48@ 30 degree sections of a circle. 

Thanks Guys, geuss I will just use the O36 curves though I have room for 42 inch curves

Here's a look at a curve made up of 36 and 48.   Form the top coming out of the ten inch straight:

O48

O36

O48

O36

O48

The grid squares are 12 inches.

I've use this technique with various sectional track systems to fit "wider" curves into a smaller space.  It works well for me.

This is drawn in RailModeller Pro on Mac

Thanks David! So this can work? and in essence be a 40inch curve? I really want to run 6 axle locos and modern freight cars

Mautner posted:

Thanks David! So this can work? and in essence be a 40inch curve? I really want to run 6 axle locos and modern freight cars

I finished out a circle and measured center rail to center rail at various point.  It ranges from 41 to 42".

The get the circle to close properly the circle had to mirror what I pictured above, minus the two 10" straights.

So, with that drawing in mind, starting at the top you go 48, 36, 48, 36, 48.

You will end up with two O48 next to each other, directly opposite another pair.  In my case at the top and bottom of the circle I created.

So, with the built in ruler tool, measuring center rail diameter from an O36 to it's opposite O36 gave me 41".   Doing the same O48 to O48 gave me 42".

Hope this helps!

I have done it a little different..

1/2 36

48

1/2 36

48

1/2 36

48

1/2 36

Bill

Bill, that's a great way also!!

Just remember, you are still limited to O36 locomotives, for the most part.  Some are more forgiving then others.  If you were doing this in hopes of running O42 locomotives, it may not help.  But if you're doing this so O36 locomotives look better on the curves, then it will help.