Superelevating Track

[BCR 570]

For those of you with operating layouts who have gone to the trouble of installing superelevation on curves, may I ask what thickness of material you used in the middle of the curve (ie. .010", .020", .030", etc.)?  My permanent tracklaying is fast approaching and of course the superelevation has to be installed first.


Thank you,

Tim

[JSL]

Tim,

I use masking tape to do my superelevation. I tired seven layers of tape as CSX Dixie Line did take a look at your his blog. I settled on 5 layers as I felt 7 layers was too much which and works out to be .010.

JSL

[Pomperaugrr]

I use strips of .010 and .020 styrene beneath the ties, under the outside rail on very broad sweeping curves.  On tighter radius curves, I stick with .010.  I try to start the super elevation a few inches prior to the start of the curve to create a smooth vertical easement into the curve.  The ballast hides the strips.

Experimenting with super elevation is worth the effort.  It adds visual interest and realism, as long as you do not overdo it.  I have not had any operational issues with 60 to 80 car trains.

Eric

[Vince Gortner]

On a previous layout I had 0.025 strips under 18" radius curves and it was too much superelevation.  I had 0.020 in some spots and it still seemed like a little too much.  If I was starting over I'd only use 0.010 and I also was really impressed by the masking tape technique on the CSX Dixie Line.  I think the effect needs to be subtle, not like a banked turn on a slot car track.  I have some superelevated Kato unitrack on a temp layout now and the superelevation is too much for my tastes.

[rogergperkins]

Though obviously not US prototypical, the Kato Unitrack double track has banked/elevated curves. Checking its dimensions out might help one see what is feasible and works.

[bman]

     I used small styrene strips as well,  0.010 and 0.015,  using Atlas code 55 track with 12.5" and 13.75" radius.  While 0.020 is more prototypical I believe(I am by no means an expert),  it was just a little too much for my liking.  It was not a huge difference, but enough to satisfy me.  Like was mentioned above, I experimented with it and found something to my liking.  I have ran 30-40 trains through them with no problems.   Sure wish I had more room for the layout....big sweeping curves with superelevation, ahhhhhh man  beautiful.

[Bsklarski]

Though obviously not US prototypical, the Kato Unitrack double track has banked/elevated curves. Checking its dimensions out might help one see what is feasible and works.

I have played around with the V11 set and for the radius the set is,  to me anyway, the super elevation is too much for that tight of a curve. but that is me.

[Sokramiketes]

It should be matched to your curve radius. On the large Modutrak curves (54"+) I went with .030". Less than 20" or so I wouldn't do more than .020".

[davefoxx]

On a tiny 2' x 3' layout I tinkered with a few years ago, I used the masking tape method to experiment with superelevation.  I used five layers, stepping each layer back about 3/4" or so to create the easement into the superelevation.  Worked great and was cheap to install.  The masking tape did not seem to cause any problems when flooded with wet water and adhesive during ballasting.  This layout had 10" curves, and, believe it or not, I never had a stringlining problem.  I thought the effect was really cool, although I don't have any pictures with a nice low angle to better reflect what it looks like.  On my next layout, I may go to six layers of tape.  Five was close, but I might experiment with six layers.



Hope this helps,
DFF

[Bsklarski]

Dave I dont know how you do it but your layouts always look "right"

[PAL_Houston]

Tim,

I use masking tape to do my superelevation. I tired seven layers of tape as CSX Dixie Line did take a look at your his blog. I settled on 5 layers as I felt 7 layers was too much which and works out to be .010.

JSL

+1

[LV LOU]

I put down my cork,let it dry up good,then I completely block sand every inch of it.I sand in my superellevation,easments and all,no shims..

[seusscaboose]

Dave I dont know how you do it but your layouts always look "right"

you should see the magic he does when he fixes Ed's mistakes at my place!

[robert3985]

I put down my cork,let it dry up good,then I completely block sand every inch of it.I sand in my superellevation,easments and all,no shims..

This is what I do.  Works great and goes quickly.  Track has a lot of surface area to adhere to.

Cheers!
Bob Gilmore

[BCR 570]

Thank you all very much for your input.  You have given me some parameters to work within.  I have experimented with the masking tape and like the results.  My mainline curves are 18" radius with easements so I will likely opt for something in the range of .018" (four layers of masking tape graduated either end).

Tim