Lionel postwar tubular track, shimming on curves?

I have done superelevation on HO and N gauge layouts but I haven't bothered to do it with 3-rail O-gauge. It's really just for looks. 3-rail trains have big flanges to keep them on the track in relatively tight curves.

One thing to consider is that most model trains do not have equalized suspension that will effectively follow vertical changes in track height, such as when entering a curve with superelevation. IMO you're better off to make sure your tracks are uniformly level and curves not kinked.

I do recommend easements for curves, essentially a section of wider curve leading into a minimum radius curve.

A previous thread on the topic elicited all manner of responses with respect to materials to use, but if I remember right, they mostly equated to about a 1/8" rise on the outer rail.  (You don't want it so steep that long, heavy trains fall over to the inside).  Ace is right though:  It's cosmetic.  you'd have to run your trains awful fast for it to make a difference in flying off.

In fact, on such small diameters, you run the risk of string lining at slow speeds on super elevated curves.  Normally, the practice is used to best effect on large layouts focused on realism.  I think Ace suggested the best way of avoiding high speed derailments by employing easements.

Bruce

Thanks guys for your help. Can you give me an example of an easement As I am new to this layout stuff.

Jerry

Easements are the gradual transition from straight into a curved track.  When working with smaller track diameters it helps lessen the violent jerk an engine makes when thrown into a curve.  The big boys use them too, as it reduces massive lateral forces.

This diagram shows all you might need when considering easements on a layout of tubular track.  Thanks to whoever on this forum worked them out.

this may seem anti-intuitive, but with small radius curves, superelevation is actually worse than flat laid track and in cases such as helix climbs and descends, you are better off slightly elevating the inside rail.  what you will notice happens with coupled cars in your train, is that the force the locomotive exerts on the couplers when the track is superelevated will tend to pull the train off the track toward the infield.  raising the inside rail will counteract this force and keep your train on the track.

as i said, you would think this is backwards, but believe me, through experimentation building a 1440° up/ down helix this bizarre phenomena was discovered.

strange, but true.

cheers...gary