Using tubular to go around a 24 x 16 inch street scene

Depends what type of track you like. In regular tubular track you can use 027 track which has 27 inch curves. With 027 the track may fit into a smaller area then the 031 curves.

Then the next size would be 031 which has 31 inch curves and is slightly higher in height. If you go with Gargraves track(which is close to 027 in height) their curves start around 031.60 or 31.6 inches for a 31 inch curve. Not sure if Ross track makes an 031 curve or not but it would be closer to 31 inches if they did.

Lee Fritz

The smallest tubular track is 027 which will not fit in the dimensions you provided.  You can purchase Super streets or Ez Streets in a smaller radius but the limiting factor will be the 16 inch width you provided.  In any event, finding a trolley that can navigate those dimensions will limit your choices.  Some 4 wheel trolleys will make it without binding in the curves.  If you must make a loop that size perhaps and the track has to be similar to tubular my only suggestion is bending gargraves track but that will require some patience and practice to get it down to that size.  It can be done but you may have to waste a few pieces before you get a sufficiently smooth curve.

ChooChoo1972 posted:

Hi all, I am bulding a small portable display for a kid. He built a 24: x 16: street scene which he would like a trolley to run around the outside. What is the smallest configuration of 031 tubular track that will create a circle or oval around this? Also what sized board would be the smallest to use for this project?

thanks in advance

Frank

Frank,

If I understand your question correctly, this is what I came up with using SCARM. The edges can be trimmed back to make the layout smaller. The straight pieces are Lionel half straights.

Sorry guys that I wasn't too clear. The 24 x 16 scene needs to inside the track circle/oval. That isn't the entire dimensions I am limited to.

Frank,

Take another look at the diagram I posted above. The green area is 24" x 16", representing the module your son built. The track plan uses 8 O-31 curves and 2 half straight. The dimensions in the diagram show 40" x 35". You could reduce each side by an inch or so.

I don't understand why tubular track is used. In such a small layout the difference in cost insofar as using more realistic flex track is insignificant.