Skip to main content

I been working on a ceiling train for my nephew the past few weeks. We got him the MTH PA 280 passenger set. I used 1×6 boards for shelves and then built the corner out some since the 031 curve that came with the set hung over some. I got it all up and running but don't like the tight turns with all 3 passenger cars on. I went to a local train shop today and compared 031,042,054 & 072 curve pieces. The 072 didn't look to bad in the store so bought 4 pieces so that could start rebuilding the one corner. Once I put the 4 pieces together and put it up on the shelf we didn't like how much the corner would of need built out. Don't think would look right in a small bedroom...so thought of trying the 054 curve. I looked online and saw that 12 pieces are needed to make a circle but in the 2016 MTH catalog I have it says 16. Which one is correct? I can't get to the train shop until Saturday so is their anyway of figuring out how much I would need to built out the corner without having the track? I'm thinking if it's only 3 pieces per corner it won't be as bad as the 072. If is 4 then I'd probably be better using the 042....

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

3 pcs for 1 corner. 

Measuring mine, it is exactly 57 1/2" diameter from the edge of the roadbeds. For a corner, you would need to come out 17" from the center of the corner at the wall, so the apex of the curve would stay on your shelf. (Your walls meet and make a 90 degree angle. If you come straight out at a 45, you need to come out 17 inches to keep the track on the shelf)

You could always lay it out in SCARM, it's a free program, and figure out your measurements!

Good luck!

Mo985 posted:

3 pcs for 1 corner. 

Measuring mine, it is exactly 57 1/2" diameter from the edge of the roadbeds. For a corner, you would need to come out 17" from the center of the corner at the wall, so the apex of the curve would stay on your shelf. (Your walls meet and make a 90 degree angle. If you come straight out at a 45, you need to come out 17 inches to keep the track on the shelf)

You could always lay it out in SCARM, it's a free program, and figure out your measurements!

Good luck!

Thanks for the info! Looks like the 054 won't need built out quite as much as the 072. From the center of the corner I'm at around 22" for the 072. Currently from the corner I have the shelf built out about 13.5" for the 031 so it would have to come out a good ways for 072. If the 054 is 17" from the center of corner I'm guessing the 042 would probably be around 15" maybe? You wouldn't happen to have 3 sections of 042 that you could measure?

Matt Kirsch posted:

If you're going to the train shop to buy it, why do you need to know ahead of time? You could just figure out what you need when you get there and buy it, right?

You could also call the shop, ask how many pieces it takes, if they have that many in stock, and to put them on hold for you, before you waste a trip to find they're out.

Wanted to get an idea of the difference because the shop normally doesn't accept returns. All sales are final. They are going to let me swap the 072 for something else. If I got the 054 and don't like they might not let me swap it again. I did call the shop before I picked up the 072 and they said it was 4 pieces but didn't have any other measurements like what was provided here...

I do have O42 as well, can't get you those till I get home this evening. If you get SCARM, it has a grid layout. You draw two lines representing your walls, select mth track and place your pieces. The grid is graduated and will give you measurements, plus there is a measurement tool so you could find out the distance you need to build out. It's really helpful for planning! Remember not to put the track right up against the wall, I use 1-1.5 inches so longer cars won't rub on the wall when turning.

EEB,

The diameter of the O42 circle is 48". 

I measured out 14" at the apex from the corner, that is with one side of the track 3/4" from the edge (wall) and the other side 2". If you are at 13.5 now, the O42 would just about fit, maybe with a small piece added to the middle, and not having to rebuild a lot of shelving. 

Post some pics!

I did the same in my sons room in a previous house. I went through the top of the closet as a tunnel, and when I got to the window, I used the mth steel arch bridge to cover the span! 

The down side, is the littler kids want to put their hands on the trains and actually play with them, let their gi joes ride in the cars and whatnot. Plus the cleaning of the track is kind of a pain. At least vacuum it once a week! 

Mo985 posted:

EEB,

The diameter of the O42 circle is 48". 

I measured out 14" at the apex from the corner, that is with one side of the track 3/4" from the edge (wall) and the other side 2". If you are at 13.5 now, the O42 would just about fit, maybe with a small piece added to the middle, and not having to rebuild a lot of shelving. 

Post some pics!

I did the same in my sons room in a previous house. I went through the top of the closet as a tunnel, and when I got to the window, I used the mth steel arch bridge to cover the span! 

The down side, is the littler kids want to put their hands on the trains and actually play with them, let their gi joes ride in the cars and whatnot. Plus the cleaning of the track is kind of a pain. At least vacuum it once a week! 

Thanks for checking the 042. I was guessing it would be around 15" from the corner. I will have to check the 042 & 054 at the shop tomorrow and compare them closer than I did yesterday. I'd like to use 054 but not sure I really want to build the corner out to 17". The 042 would look similar to what I did already and should allow the cars to get around the turns better compared to the 031. If I was doing it all over again I'd just go with 072 and make the corner piece a little wider than the track and suspend it from the ceiling...

 

What curves did you use in your son's room?

 

Attachments

Images (1)
  • 20160112_175301

I use the O31 that came with the set. We started with a RTR freight set. 

I decided to stay with it for the same reasons, building out the corners. On the layout I'm doing now, I moved to the 42, to allow for more track. We only have a limited area, and I didn't want it all taken up with curves. 

I took the 072 back today and compared 042 & 054. Ended up exchanging the 072 for 054. The owner also left me borrow some 042 so that I could see which I liked best. After putting both on the shelf I'm going to use the 054. The way I built the corner piece I would need to redo it if I used the 042 or 054 so figured would go with the 054. Didn't really want to rebuild the corner just to add an inch or so with the 042. Probably start the rebuild next weekend once I get the rest of the 054. Will update here when I'm done...

Update: I figured out the other side for 36.5".... 10, 10, 5.5, 5.5, 5.5. I forgot all about 5.5" pieces. I only have 3.5, 4.25, 5, 10 & 30" here. All the train shops are closed here on Mondays so will get everything else I need tomorrow. Once all the track is in place then I will make the new corner pieces...

 

I ended up taking down the 031 curves and corner pieces yesterday. I got the 054 in place and now Im trying to figure out what straight pieces of track I need now. The one gap on 2 of the sides was 25.5". For that I used a 10,5,3.5,3.5,3.5. Still need to get 2 more 3.5's to do the other side. On the other 2 sides I haven't been able to figure what pieces I need. The gap is 6" - 6.5" or if I remove the 30" section then I got 36" - 36.5". Every combination I come up with is either to short or just a little over. Any suggestions? 

Last edited by Eeb72
Eeb72 posted:

Update: I figured out the other side for 36.5".... 10, 10, 5.5, 5.5, 5.5. I forgot all about 5.5" pieces. I only have 3.5, 4.25, 5, 10 & 30" here. All the train shops are closed here on Mondays so will get everything else I need tomorrow. Once all the track is in place then I will make the new corner pieces...

 

I ended up taking down the 031 curves and corner pieces yesterday. I got the 054 in place and now Im trying to figure out what straight pieces of track I need now. The one gap on 2 of the sides was 25.5". For that I used a 10,5,3.5,3.5,3.5. Still need to get 2 more 3.5's to do the other side. On the other 2 sides I haven't been able to figure what pieces I need. The gap is 6" - 6.5" or if I remove the 30" section then I got 36" - 36.5". Every combination I come up with is either to short or just a little over. Any suggestions? 

Personally, I would have used 2-10" and 1- 5.5". The chance of the connection getting bad is less with fewer connections!

Moonman hit the nail on the head!

 

 

Moonman posted:

I assumed you were using your inventory for the 25.5". That's too easy.

You need the 5.5" in the mix. I haven't found a combination reference for RealTrax.

Will the corners still be of a reasonable size?

Yeah I was using just what I had to figure it out. Forgot all about 5.5" since I didn't have any.

The corner will be similar to the photo you posted earlier in this thread. I made the last corner piece like that but this time I'm going to make it follow the curve and then add about an inch so the track isn't at the edge. I think it will look a little better. 

Mo985 posted:
Eeb72 posted:

Update: I figured out the other side for 36.5".... 10, 10, 5.5, 5.5, 5.5. I forgot all about 5.5" pieces. I only have 3.5, 4.25, 5, 10 & 30" here. All the train shops are closed here on Mondays so will get everything else I need tomorrow. Once all the track is in place then I will make the new corner pieces...

 

I ended up taking down the 031 curves and corner pieces yesterday. I got the 054 in place and now Im trying to figure out what straight pieces of track I need now. The one gap on 2 of the sides was 25.5". For that I used a 10,5,3.5,3.5,3.5. Still need to get 2 more 3.5's to do the other side. On the other 2 sides I haven't been able to figure what pieces I need. The gap is 6" - 6.5" or if I remove the 30" section then I got 36" - 36.5". Every combination I come up with is either to short or just a little over. Any suggestions? 

Personally, I would have used 2-10" and 1- 5.5". The chance of the connection getting bad is less with fewer connections!

Moonman hit the nail on the head!

 

 

I ended up using 2-10 & a 5.5 but once I got the track up I was able to make it a little longer at 27" instead of 25.5". Ended up getting the track about 1" from the edge all the way around. Hoping to get the new corner sections cut out by the weekend and then paint them over the weekend...

I ended up get all 4 of the new corner pieces cut out, painted and installed. Still have a few things to do yet but it's finally running again. Had 5 cars on and zero issues. The new pieces ended up being 18" from the corner of the wall. I don't mind the way it looks. I'm glad I decided to use the 054. 

Attachments

Images (1)
  • Corner piece

Add Reply

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×