Looking to build a small layout/test oval for 3-rail scale using O-72 curves in a pretty tight space. What is the minimum clearance from the center rail to a wall when using O-72 three rail track? I think I can squeeze in a clearance of 3" from track center to the wall, will this be adequate for most 3-rail scale equipment?
Thanks,
Bill in FtL
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I just got done moving 40 feet of track that I screwed down last night because after I got it screwed down I noticed it was pretty close to the adjacent line, running the big boy through one curve caused the boiler to hit the train on the adjacent track because i used an MTH double track bridge with a slight S curve just outside the end. I've got it like 5 inches apart now because I don't want to take the handrails off a thousand dollar loco or put a gouge in my favorite passenger cars
You need at least 3.5" to clear to the outside. Back in my Tinplate Tracker days, we never had a big boy hit the plastic guards when the rail centerline was 3.5" in from the edge. 4.0 to 4.5" is better from an appearance standpoint if you can pull it off.
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