Fun with scale curvature

[ednadolski]

I was curious to see what an N-scale train would look (and sound) like on a prototypically-sized curve, so I set up this little test/demo track on  a sheet of 4x8 foam board.   The curve is 43 1/8" radius, which is the equivalent of a 10-degree prototype curve, or 1150 scale feet in diameter.

I gotta say that I really do like the way that the train seems to just 'flow' or 'glide' thru the curve 

(sorry that the lighting is pretty bad for this.)

Ed

[thbguy]

I was curious to see what an N-scale train would look (and sound) like on a prototypically-sized curve, so I set up this little test/demo track on  a sheet of 4x8 foam board.   The curve is 43 1/8" radius, which is the equivalent of a 10-degree prototype curve, or 1150 scale feet in diameter.

I gotta say that I really do like the way that the train seems to just 'flow' or 'glide' thru the curve 

(sorry that the lighting is pretty bad for this.)

Ed

That’s great, Ed. It does look really good.

For comparison, I’d do maybe a 19” curve with 24-30” easements and see if there is a significant difference in the look at a normal track viewing height. 

Best regards,
Michael (thbguy)

[Cajonpassfan]

Nice. If only we could do that on our layouts....never mind the fact that a ten degree curve is very sharp by modern Class 1 standards. After some stringline derailments and severe speed restrictions, BNSF predecessor ATSF widened all five ten degree curves on Cajon during the seventies...
The compromises we make
Otto K.

[Maletrain]

Isn't the 10 degree curve the classic situation used by photographers (railroad and amateur) to capture pictures of trains so that they include the locos plus most of the cars on passenger trains?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Well suddenly my TTRAK corners feel very, very, wrong.

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[ksmiley]

19" radius in the middle, 28" transition, all using Kato UniTrack
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[basementcalling]

I was curious to see what an N-scale train would look (and sound) like on a prototypically-sized curve, so I set up this little test/demo track on  a sheet of 4x8 foam board.   The curve is 43 1/8" radius, which is the equivalent of a 10-degree prototype curve, or 1150 scale feet in diameter.

I gotta say that I really do like the way that the train seems to just 'flow' or 'glide' thru the curve 

(sorry that the lighting is pretty bad for this.)

Ed

Curve doesn't affect the sound, unless it eliminated the wheel squeal.

Who makes sectional track that big?

[dem34]

Curve doesn't affect the sound, unless it eliminated the wheel squeal.

Who makes sectional track that big?

Lionel   

[ednadolski]

For comparison, I’d do maybe a 19” curve

@thbguy, inner curve here is 19", I tried to keep it 'fair' buy using similar-sized cars and locos:




Turns out 19" is what I used on the mainline for my little Loop layout.  Still a substantial difference, tho lower viewing angle and finished scenery do help.  I think a finished scene helps the brain to compensate, at least to some degree:

Of course, my whole little Loop layout would have fit onto that single 4x8 foamboard. 

Ed

[Point353]

Who makes sectional track that big?

Atlas code 55 sectional track is available in up to a 71" radius:
https://shop.atlasrr.com/p-1001-n-code-55-71-radius-full-section-6-pcs.aspx

[Mark W]

Well suddenly my TTRAK corners feel very, very, wrong.

[ Laughs in Free-moN ] 


https://i.imgur.com/MMoNzwH.jpg

[nkalanaga]

Many O scale, and some HO scale, layouts have 48 inch radius curves.  Imagine one of them, built to the same size, in N scale.

[altohorn25]

Yes - wider curves look great.  Our corner modules on the Modutrak layout are a little under 5 feet in radius with full easment and superelevation.

Fast forward to 2:40 in this video and you can see how nice it makes the longer cars look.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Atlas code 55 sectional track is available in up to a 71" radius:
https://shop.atlasrr.com/p-1001-n-code-55-71-radius-full-section-6-pcs.aspx

Not really. It's got a 71" radius option, but that's ONLY as a complement to another track piece. It's not like they also offer a 69" radius option. Although that'd be nice.

[Nick Lorusso]

I was curious to see what an N-scale train would look (and sound) like on a prototypically-sized curve, so I set up this little test/demo track on  a sheet of 4x8 foam board.   The curve is 43 1/8" radius, which is the equivalent of a 10-degree prototype curve, or 1150 scale feet in diameter.

I gotta say that I really do like the way that the train seems to just 'flow' or 'glide' thru the curve 

(sorry that the lighting is pretty bad for this.)

Ed

This would be a good radius for Free-moN @Mark W