Anyone have an idea what the tallest car would be and what would be the height. Wondering what clearance height I will need on new layout
in various areas?? I was thinking the Lionel Scale Auto Racks might be the tallest??
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The Lionel scale 89' box cars and auto racks are tall. However I believe the MTH car carriers are a bit taller. Another car to figure into the equation is the MTH Schnabel car with its load. I myself would leave a minimum of 6" clearance from top of rail to the bottom of whatever you are going under. I have all those cars mentioned above but can't get to them now..................Paul
By far, the MTH Husky Double Stack with 48ft containers. It's 1:48, except its too high (because of ride height). At 5-9/16" high per the product specs, it is 22.5 scale feet! That's way higher than real railroads allow.
The MTH premier auto rack is listed as 5-1/16" tall.
So paul2's above advice of 6" clearance should keep you of troube.
Pantographs are the highest part you need to be concerned with. Some of them are almost 6.5" from the rail head with the automatic mechanisms at full extension. The tallest car is in the low 5" range.
Originally Posted by Boilermaker1:
Pantographs are the highest part you need to be concerned with. Some of them are almost 6.5" from the rail head with the automatic mechanisms at full extension. The tallest car is in the low 5" range.
Watch the tunnel portals. Should be about 7" above the rail head at the center to clear the ends of the pans.
AGHRMatt is correct, the Scale GG1 with Pantographs up is the tallest engine...The tallest car is possibly Atlas O scale Auto Carrier cars, or The MTH Auto Carrier cars... You might also check out the Inter Modal Cars.....WOW, It's best to get this part of your up coming layout Exactly Right because it's no fun to buy a nice train car and it not make the clearances. Good Question, great thread....Happy Railroading...
