Skip to main content

1D99A5E4-3C38-4ADA-AB6A-2716FECA14D92F87D277-3167-4F41-9645-BC6FDAB3008F5B00FB11-EF28-4E8F-B088-99D77B265C88I have O-54. 

And I bought what was supposed to be O-54, but I believe it is O-72??

It has the same number of Railroad ties. 

But obviously the arc is different. 

Since it is not marked O-anything 

How do I determine the O VALUE?

I hesitate to designate it the radii or circumference because of the ensuing debate that accompanies that specific derailment. 

Attachments

Images (3)
  • 1D99A5E4-3C38-4ADA-AB6A-2716FECA14D9
  • 2F87D277-3167-4F41-9645-BC6FDAB3008F
  • 5B00FB11-EF28-4E8F-B088-99D77B265C88
Last edited by 1drummer
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

An  easy basic step is to assemble a 90 degree arc. 

Place the two ends at the edges of a sheet of plywood. 

Measure from the center rail to the corner.  Make sure both center rails are the same distance to the corner. 

Double that number, that is the O-number..  The diameter of your circle.

If you reading is 36", it is 0-72.

If your reading is 27" it is 0-54.

Last edited by Tom Tee

doing a little trig.... take a straight edge or a ruler greater than 14" and lay it down as a chord between the end points of the center rail on a single piece of track.  at the center of that chord, measure the distance from the straight edge to the center rail.  if it is O72 (16 pieces to a circle) that measurement will be 0.70".  if the track segment is 1/12 of an O54 circle, that measurement will be closer to 0.90"

unfortunately just measuring the chord on an O72 (16 piece circle) or an O54 (12 piece circle), they turn out to be pretty darn close to equal.  a 22.5° chord on a 36" radius circle is 14.04" and a 30° chord on a 27" radius circle is 13.96".  too close to differentiate in measurement with toy train accuracy.

math is fun!
cheers...gary

[edit... corrected some math]

Last edited by overlandflyer

for O54 track... (27 - 27cos 15°) = 0.92"

for O72 track... (36 - 36cos 11.25°) = 0.69"

the chord length need not be part of the equation.  the key is really what track MTH based the radius on... by now i'm hoping manufacturers have decided that the center rail be the ruling track radius.  you have to assume the accuracy of the arc length in being close enough to create a smooth 360° circle.

Sorry for the confusion sir, that last line is just my signature, not a reference to our conversation .

As to our conversation, your approach and calculations are absolutely right.  My style is usually try to make forum speak as straightforward and simple as possible.  Both approaches can yield the same result in determining the diameter of the piece in question.  Your approach is free standing, mine needs to have a comparative sample.  All's good.

Add Reply

Post
This forum is sponsored by MTH Electric Trains

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.
×
×