How to NOT build a module

Well, I don't feel so bad now. The mistake I made is not enough width for my scratchbuilt buildings. Sorry about the lousy backlit photo, and strange font- can't figure it out!

I think that needs a sign saying "NO ARTICULATED LOCOMOTIVES BEYOND THIS POINT" posted about 1 scale mile from either end.

How many times times have you warned about "S" curves?

No. It should be: Any train, Any track, Any time.

Not enough, and people still don't get it maybe the photo will help. We had one member build them properly and it isn't understood what was done.

Oops!  Hee, hee, hee. 

.....

Dennis

Reminds me of something that happened in our organization a couple of years ago. Two guys decided to build a modular portable layout to bring to train shows. It was a large basic two-track oval, and one guy built the curves and the other guy built the straights. They agreed on specs so that the straights would line up with the curves when the modules were assembled. Then the guy who was building the straights decided that for some reason or other he wanted the straights a different distance from the edge than had been agreed, so he built his modules that way. Needless to say, the guy who built the curves was more than slightly annoyed. Eventually the "straight man" fixed his modules, but the ill-will lingers.

I would call foul for having reverse-curves on a mainline. Remember, just because we can doesn't mean we should. The module should have been at least twice as long to pull something like that off. As L&N said, should be Any Train/Any Time.

That reminds me of last years Christmas layout under the tree. I had 3 loops. And all was fine until I put my Williams GG1 on one of the inner loops. I had a GP20 on the next loop. They were traveling in opposite directions and made several loops until they met, (HEAD ON) in a curve behind the tree. The GG1 has a lot of overhang on 027. I wasn't paying attention at the time, Until I heard the CRASH.  After a couple of choice words I had to laugh.......................

A good reason for the word  "inspection".

Maybe a slightly longer module.

For most modular systems, the tracks need to be in exactly the same position at both ends of the module, no?  These are not and presumably won't match up at one or both ends with other modules, I'd guess, so there's no danger of locomotives meeting .

I call it the demolition derby....

L&N, is that a new National Capital Crashers module?

...keep the rails polished... 

6" centers is the new rule of thumb with all our articulated locos and loooong rolling stock

Correct.  It requires (two) "S" curve modules and possible several modules between the "S" curves.  This reverse module allow the detail of the buildings and siding to be exposed to the public.  The other "S" curve is not shown.  Top of picture. Each module is a 6 ft. length.

Twice as long would be correct.

The "correct" set that Steve refers to is mine. They shift 2' over 8'. The curves are O104, 120 and 138, set from largest to smallest going out from the center point (non-concentric), so that the spacing in the center of the curves expands a little bit. That, combined with the large diameter curves, enables anything to run without interference. Additionally, there's 57" of straight between the two sets of curves, insuring that that there is no reverse curve. 

quote:

Correct.  It requires (two) "S" curve modules and possible several modules between the "S" curves.  This reverse module allow the detail of the buildings and siding to be exposed to the public.  The other "S" curve is not shown.  Top of picture. Each module is a 6 ft. length.

Two sides of an S are not required. A single set can be used, so long as a "reset" module equal to the shift distance is used around the next 90 degree corner. 

Unfortunately that rule of thumb wouldn't line up with any modular layout in existence.  They are built to standards.  

The 6 inch spacing applies to the apex of the curve not the ends.  The NCT and ODHR wide radius corners were built with standard 4 1/4" track spacing on the 90 degree ends, the spacing gradually widens out to 6 inches at the 45 degree mark in the corner then returns to 4 1/4. The corners with the 6 inch spacing were used in the York Layout. Herr Boilermaker's S curves pictured above have gradually widening spacing but return to the proper track spacing by the end of the module. These too were used in York.

A good try....but no.

But as already shown by others it can be done......maybe even in the space shown if the track is configured a little different. Move the S part on the out side lines to create more room between the lines.

It can be made to work. See the picture below. This is an early shot of my rock face modules. There are 2 modules, each 4'. They are always connected as a pair, never as singletons. The outside ends have tracks on 4.25" centers. I increased the spacing between tracks 1 and 2 by 1" at the centerline of the pair. This is sufficient to avoid the problem the OP has. Articulated locos are restricted to track 1, but anything up to a scale sized 4-8-4 can be run on tracks 2 and 3 without issue.

Chris

LVHR

Here is one set of diverging tracks done in 12 ft (2) modules.

Tom B's "(S) curve modules are the longest of any of the Fort Pitt Highrailer modules. The (2) modules are (8ft each), 16 ft total.

There are a couple of compensating (2 ft.) modules, that are used to supplement track footage, to make longer and short combinations work.

Note the (2ft) module top in this picture.

'S' curves are generally not a best practice in track planning. Personally, I try to avoid them if at all possible.

Generally I agree, but in a modular setting it can break up the monotony of arrow straight oval loops.   Done correctly it really adds to the setup. 

You can still achieve the same result if you add a straight section between the two curves. Try to make it equal to or longer than the kingpin to kingpin distance of the longest piece of rolling stock or the longest engine. Easements help too.