How close can you get the centerline of an O72 fastrac loop to a wall without running the risk of a Big Boy, or some other piece of equipment with a large overhang, striking the wall?
Thanks,
Conrad
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My experience is it's always about 1/8" more than I planned for. 
If its a scale big boy, at least 4.25 inches.
Look at the photo below. The outermost curve is 72" track and is located 3.75 inches from center rail to the wall in back. It was not enough. You can see the brown paper "hole" in the walll in back. This is where my JLC big boy would not have enough clearance for its boiler front to pass through. I had to cut a hole in the sheet rock and patch it with brown paper, etc., "digging" into the wall another inch just to be safe. Every time the big boy comes around it looks for all the world like its going to hit but it just misses at the leading edge. I'd leave five inches if you have it. Four and one half is the minimum.
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I measured my JLC N&W Y6b (2-8-8-2) at just a hair under 2.5 inches from the center rail to the farthest edge of the locomotive. I also measured an MTH Western Maryland Challenger (4-6-6-4), and it also measured a hair under 2.5 inches from center rail to farthest edge.
So with two matching measurements in mind, I would suggest 3 inches from Center rail to the wall. I do not own a Big Boy, thus I cannot give you input on its needed clearances.
I've always used 4" centers, but I don't own a Big Boy (want one though). The Big Boy is probably the benchmark for the outside of a curve. Atlas' 89' flat cars and now Lionel's new auto racks will set the mark for the inside of the curve.
Now put the Big Boy on the inner track and the flat car on the outer track. YIKES!! I'd bet it would take more than 4.5" to get those past each other. Of course if you only operate equipment from one era or the other, the two should never meet.
We have a couple Legacy BigBoys and put the track center at 4" from the backdrop with an 080 curve. More than sufficient.... never had a problem. For the 072, 4 1/2" would be best.
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I am 6"on center from the wall which is more than ample clearance for Challengers and 20"[80'] passenger cars at 084/096[until "fat" building fronts are added].
As Dewey says, don't forget to plan for backdrops, scenery, building flats, etc. I plan to leave 4" to the closest scenery/buildings, etc.
Jim
