NS Westend spur layout

I can't see anything except the text. Roo.

Roo posted:

I can't see anything except the text. Roo.

sorry bout that, try now

Good looking caboose.

Dick

Overland Southern GP30 #2628. 

thank you! photo was taken outside on a small photo diorama

A 12x40 ft space would allow a U-shaped layout with a turnback on one end and an aisle down the middle - depending on doors and windows and such.      One side could be the industries served area and the other a small yard and an interchange and maybe more industries.

that was on the lines of what i was thinking.  i plan on running modern 50ft boxcars and hoppers mostly.  what radius curve would be best?

genosharp posted:

that was on the lines of what i was thinking.  i plan on running modern 50ft boxcars and hoppers mostly.  what radius curve would be best?

I would not use anything less than 48"; larger would be better, though. As a switching line, I suspect that long, fast trains are not in the plans.

genosharp posted:

Overland Southern GP30 #2628. 

Nice, I have a Central Loco Works high-hood GP35 that I have absolutely NO idea where or when that I got it! It is mine as my name and N&W GP35 are plainly written on the box end, and not in my writing!!

With a 12 ft width, you could go almost to 6 ft radius.  

However, I don't think you need go more than 48 to operate 50 ft cars.   I have some on my layout and they run fine on the 48 inch curves.    My mainilne had 52 inch radius curves.    

If you like the looks of the wider curves you could go to 60 inch and still have some flexibiilty in track planning.   

Also I recommend your switches be at least #6.    Stay away from #4 and #5 especially with the longer cars.

  some new power arrived for the layout.

prrjim posted:

With a 12 ft width, you could go almost to 6 ft radius.  

However, I don't think you need go more than 48 to operate 50 ft cars.   I have some on my layout and they run fine on the 48 inch curves.    My mainilne had 52 inch radius curves.    

If you like the looks of the wider curves you could go to 60 inch and still have some flexibiilty in track planning.   

Also I recommend your switches be at least #6.    Stay away from #4 and #5 especially with the longer cars.

ok good deal! i will plan on 48 being the minimum and see how that looks

got another railbox car completed for the layout

genosharp posted:

got another railbox car completed for the layout

 

The boxcar looks good but the photo is even better how are you doing it looks like the track is on the ground.

I use curves down to 36 inch radius with 50 foot car and don't have any trouble and we run the layout every week switching many cars all over the place.

Thanks Roo.

Roo posted:

genosharp posted:

got another railbox car completed for the layout

 

The boxcar looks good but the photo is even better how are you doing it looks like the track is on the ground.

I use curves down to 36 inch radius with 50 foot car and don't have any trouble and we run the layout every week switching many cars all over the place.

Thanks Roo.

thank you!!

Without getting into the religious wars on minimum radius.  

A word on curve radius: 

Here is something to keep in mind when designing the layout.   The same radius curve when viewed from the inside always LOOKS larger than when viewed from the outside.  An around the walls layout has larger APPEARING curves .

My thoughts, which if you add a buck will get you a coffee at Mickey D's, LOL.

Radius: Make it as LARGE as possible.

An around the wall LOOP with a lift out or tilt up for entry into your room. Switching will be far more interesting than running around in circles, but I am guessing there will be times you might just like to sit and watch stuff roll, and with 20 foot sides you won't likely be chasing your tail.

Keep stuff within your reach.

A turntable one end and wye the other.

2 or 3 track main and at least one yard..

Good Luck!

Simon

scratch built southern greenville style woodchip hopper

Geno, Now THAT is what 2 rail scale railroad modeling is all about! I thought it was the real deal at first, and I've worked around a lot of those cars over the years. Two thumbs up and continue with the excellent work!  Doug

pc cr ns yard rat posted:

Geno, Now THAT is what 2 rail scale railroad modeling is all about! I thought it was the real deal at first, and I've worked around a lot of those cars over the years. Two thumbs up and continue with the excellent work!  Doug

thank you very much doug!

genosharp posted:

 

scratch built southern greenville style woodchip hopper

Nice car!

Dick

Really, nice looking stuff. Welcome back. Looking forward to seeing the progress.

Ok, let's play "Guess the Radius", here on my under-construction layout.

Anyone want to start us off..??

I'll guess 36" with easements (although I believe I read somewhere that it's tighter in some places)?  I use 36" in a few places in staging and on one viewed-from-inside curve.  To be fair I only have 4-axle Diesels but I do have an 80ft business car (4-wheel trucks) as well as some 72ft CenterBeams, all with new Kadees, and everything works great.   Just need to watch the clearances...   

Correct Sir!! 36" radius, & as said by someone earlier, from inside the curve & at eye level it doesn't look too bad does it? I'm all for using as wide a radius as possible, but if needs must, 36" is workable. I use MTH Centerbeams & they're ok with it, as is an Atlas SD40, but that only sees rare use as 4-axle diesels are better suited to such tight corners.