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I realize this question has variables toward a correct answer.. never intending on running big steam or articulated locomotives.. mostly 4 or smaller 6 axles and steamers like a Mike or a K4.. what is a minimum distance between parallel tracks on curves of O54 - O72 ?   I'm considering a shelf layout and I want to be a narrow as possible to lessen the leverage weight of the outside track or when two pass each other.

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My layout has O-54 and O-72 radius track and I have no issues with it, as they are generally not parallel through the curves.  Here is a photo of the layout.  Note the outer loop is Standard Gauge 72 radius, then O-72, O-54, and then regular O for the dogbone loop.

I guess it is a matter of how close you want to space the tracks.  My Standard Gauge loop has 1 straight section at the middle of the curve, where the O-72 loop does not and the O-54 loop also does not have any straights in the curves.

NWL

I think the OP wants to know how close they can be without a collision as he's putting up a ceiling track.  Having that kind of spacing is not in the card I suspect.

@OTS posted:

...what is a minimum distance between parallel tracks on curves of O54 - O72 ?   I'm considering a shelf layout and I want to be a narrow as possible to lessen the leverage weight of the outside track or when two pass each other.

I think the OP wants to know how close they can be without a collision as he's putting up a ceiling track.  Having that kind of spacing is not in the card I suspect.

Then maybe he should consider using the same radius track on both loops and having a straight section (either full or partial) at the middle of the outer loop to space the outer loop a bit wider for the inner loop.

Most, if not all, folks on the forum will tell you 6" center to center is safe for pretty much any loco and rolling stock ever made. Anything tighter than that, especially for curves less than 072, will have to be tested to make sure the spacing accommodates what you're running.

With most track systems, a double mainline with 6" center to center will take up about 10" of width.

I think the OP wants to know how close they can be without a collision as he's putting up a ceiling track.  Having that kind of spacing is not in the card I suspect.

Concur with that

OTS, if you are going to do something like below, then with these size curves I think John is correct in that 5" is good.  If you use smaller curves, you will need to go to 6".  As Mike mentioned, you may want to test your trains first on a floor test layout to make sure.

O54_O72_5in

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  • O54_O72_5in

Thank you CAPPilot.. what I've done different than the image you provided ..I used identical curve sections and made adjustments in the straights to have a nice flow. The straights are 4 3/4" on center but, they do open up into the curve using the same curve. Great idea about setting up some track on the floor and checking out for sure what two locos do on the approach. Thanks again.

Gunrunner John.. Here's what's happened. Going into "O" for the first time I created a plan to take up my 19'x13' footprint. I really liked it. But, I couldn't pull the trigger on dismantling my HO shelf layout.. So, I decided to go around the ceiling and come off the shelf into a 13'x6' descending mountain using loops and figure 8's down to about 42" from the floor. My local hobby shop advised me to go multiple loops instead of just one track giving more action and attraction. Never having done this scale..feeling the weight of the two locomotives I have now.. I'm concerned going too wide on the shelf for two reasons.. the leverage put on the wall anchors and if I go two tracks I will probably elevate the one closest to the wall so you can see that track better. That's the plan.. SMH..lol.

Last edited by OTS
@OTS posted:

Never having done this scale..feeling the weight of the two locomotives I have now.. I'm concerned going too wide on the shelf for two reasons.. the leverage put on the wall anchors and if I go two tracks I will probably elevate the one closest to the wall so you can see that track better. That's the plan.. SMH..lol.

I think you'll find that any decently supported one foot wide shelf will easily support two good sized O-gauge trains comfortably.  Even decent drywall anchors will support 50-60 pounds.  I don't recommend that, I'd make sure I was connected thoroughly to the studs, that should alleviate any issues with weight, assuming the actual shelf and supports themselves were up to the task.  I wouldn't be that concerned about the weight handling of the shelves providing good construction practices are used in their creation.

the way I do this is tape a marking pen to the front and mid-pt  on your largest car or engine so that the pen points hit the track mounting surface. Move the car around the layout marking the clearances for the track as a pen line.

do this on adjacent tracks. Where the pen marks overlap you have a clearance issue. So at those overlap parts move the track at that point and re-mark the track surface until there are no overlaps.

@AlanRail posted:

the way I do this is tape a marking pen to the front and mid-pt  on your largest car or engine so that the pen points hit the track mounting surface. Move the car around the layout marking the clearances for the track as a pen line.

do this on adjacent tracks. Where the pen marks overlap you have a clearance issue. So at those overlap parts move the track at that point and re-mark the track surface until there are no overlaps.

Great idea AlanNH, especially on curves.

Your pen idea can also be used to locate scenery and tunnel clearance

@CAPPilot posted:

Unless I missed it, it looks like you are using Atlas Track.  This is what it may look like with RR-Track.

O63 curves

this IS what I have going.. yes.. this is still in the planning stage. The old measure twice cut once.. before I put a saw to the plywood I'm trying to figure out how wide the shelf will need to be and the replies I've received have been most helpful. I thank everyone who has reached out with assistance.

@bigkid posted:

Just as an fyi, I bought these wall anchors to hang up a wall sculpture (of a train station!) that is pretty heavy, they claim they hold up to 90 pounds and they are pretty sturdy (got them at Lowes, can't miss them, they are flourescant green). Still much better to sink them into studs, but if you need to use anchors in some spots these are really sturdy.

thank you for the info. I did get a pretty good stud finder and found the studs are on 16" centers. Much to my surprise I need 58 brackets. 40 will be an "L" mounting above the shelf and 18 will be a traditional shelf bracket that will be seen from the floor. Some may say I don't need a bracket every 16".. I would rather go over kill than wanting after the fact. Thanks again..

QTS.........what are you going to use to keep the train from falling off the shelf into your living space ?

at this time I'm thinking of a landscaped border at the front edge..not tall enough to hide the train but enough of a buffer in case of an issue with derailment. I don't want to use the plexiglass safety edge or other methods. This is my plan anyway.

@OTS posted:

at this time I'm thinking of a landscaped border at the front edge..not tall enough to hide the train but enough of a buffer in case of an issue with derailment. I don't want to use the plexiglass safety edge or other methods. This is my plan anyway.

The Valley Farm Market in Weedville Pa. has a ceiling mounted train and Charlie had a unique way to stop engines from falling to the floor.

There were verticle wire or pin pieces that had what looked like a couple horizontal fine wires strung between them .     It gave a clear view of the running trains without having room reflections like  clear  plexiglass does.

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