New member - confused over Peco track

[B.Meldon]

I think what everyone is saying is that you need to make the curves as large as you can and use points that have the biggest radius that you can.
In general, the tighter the curves the more trouble you will have.
It is possible to use tighter curves but in general the tighter you go the more work you will need to do, especially with the couplings, to make everything run as it should.
In the end it will be up to you what side of the trade-off you go for.

I have a layout with 9-inch curves and pre 1981 Peco 9-inch electrofrog points. I find it is quite restrictive as to what I can run on this layout.
I have another layout with 12-inch points and 18-inch reverse curves as a minimum, virtually everything runs fine with no problems on that layout.

Brian Meldon

[Stefan Krebs]

How about 45mm radius? Wouldn't that fit? Rokuhan parts No R091; as far as I know the smallest commercially available set track radius. Okay, it's 6,5mm (Z-) gauge, but you  need to compromise somewhere.  ;D And Japanese homes are even smaller than ours, so why not take a leaf out of their expertise?

Brian has summarised the key aspects succinctly, and a look at the Japanese 'shorty' ranges (both, in N- and in Z-gauge) gives you another clue: they produce shorten versions of the rolling stock too...; normal length would not work well with such tight radii.

Noting that the radii in T-gauge are not smaller than in Z-gauge, which is another clue: the problems increase with tighter radius AND smaller scale, i.e. pushing the limit is bound to create problems.


Cheers
Waldschrat

[Stephen Rainsbury]

I have a layout with 9-inch curves and pre 1981 Peco 9-inch electrofrog points. I find it is quite restrictive as to what I can run on this layout.
I have another layout with 12-inch points and 18-inch reverse curves as a minimum, virtually everything runs fine with no problems on that layout.

Thanks Brian.

I think I have a solution based on the advice here.

My current plan is three portable 4'x1' boards, plus an optional fiddle yard board. These could be able to be assembled together in any order or individually using the fiddle yard. I am experimenting with a scheme to make removable short bridging sections between each board which could be replaced with a shorter piece with buffers. so either of of any board could be a terminus.

The line through each board will start and end at the same distance from the edge and passenger traffic will be able to pass from one side to another only using large radius curves and points.  However each board could include shorter features, such a woodland timber yard that will spur off using tight radius points and crazy track, disappearing into the woods. The engine shed will have three lines going into it, these again will probably be short radii as there will only ever be one loco at a time going into it.

I have detailed plans for three of these boards so far, but I am sure there will be more. Baseboard construction should start next week after a trip to B&Q.

[Stephen Rainsbury]

How about 45mm radius? Wouldn't that fit? Rokuhan parts No R091; as far as I know the smallest commercially available set track radius.

I will have a look at that thanks, but I have just bought my first lot of Peco Mainline track, and just lost a eBay bid for some points.

[Stefan Krebs]

Dear Stephen,

You have me concerned now, didn't you notice the tongue in my cheek?  :laugh:

But yes, for inspiration, and an exercise in lateral thinking, it's a worthy target.

On joining your baseboards I recommend you draw inspiration from FREMO. They do the joints differently at different scales, but all their standards are tried and tested. Obviously you can do your own, but using one of theirs ensures maximum flexibility; and the option of joining with others.


Cheers
Waldschrat

[Stephen Rainsbury]

You have me concerned now, didn't you notice the tongue in my cheek?  :laugh:

I have some kind of Virus, probably fatal, I doubt that I will make it to the morning, except we have a bottle of Baileys which I wouldn't normally touch but is great right now.
I read the post but to be honest I can't even remember it :-)
I wasn't aware of Fremo, but the technology, if not the dimensions, seems very similar to what I did 50 years ago so that works out well.
Work on my baseboard(s) will not happen this weekend :-(
My wife want's a farm section now too.

[Graeme Dunbar]

Plenty of ideas! It sounds like you have enough material for several layouts. :)

[Stefan Krebs]

Dear Stephen,

My wife want's a farm section now too.

I s that on your estates, in your business, or on your layout???  ;)

Cheers
Waldschrat

[Stephen Rainsbury]

Plenty of ideas! It sounds like you have enough material for several layouts. :)

Ideas yes, money and time no  :(
Frustratingly I left a copy of your catalogue on the coffee table with several items highlighted as a subtle hint. That apparently was very good. Placing an order now for more track and points is apparently very bad, until at least December 27th.

[Stephen Rainsbury]

My wife want's a farm section now too.

I s that on your estates, in your business, or on your layout???  ;)

I didn't stop to think, I hope she means layout, I didn't check.  ???

[Graeme Dunbar]

Plenty of ideas! It sounds like you have enough material for several layouts. :)

Ideas yes, money and time no  :(
Frustratingly I left a copy of your catalogue on the coffee table with several items highlighted as a subtle hint. That apparently was very good. Placing an order now for more track and points is apparently very bad, until at least December 27th.

I'm flattered, but think you are mixing me up with someone else!

[Stephen Rainsbury]

I'm flattered, but think you are mixing me up with someone else!

What TWO Scotsmen called Graeme with a surname starting with D, both interested in 009!!
Hollywood would make a film out of that.   ;D