Hi John; Unfortunately I think S scale 50 ft. cars will look pretty toy like on less than 30 inch radius curves. Off the cuff, I'd say #6 turnouts will be a couple of inches longer each than the #4, but I haven't got any of the current Tomalco turnouts to measure (I image Larry would be happy to give you the sizes).
In your place I would build the layout in at least four pieces, with all the switching in the front straight section, somewhat like the NASG switching layout. To taht I would add the end curves and a narrow rear track section, all of which would be either hidden or simply sceniced as "off stage". If you hide most of the curves, either totally or in cuts/behind structures, they can be tighter without detracting from the scale appearance. Pieter --- John Degnan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I need some suggestions concerning a layout that I > will soon be building... suggestions for curves > radii, size of turnouts, length of "run-around" > tracks and "staging tracks" (as indicated in drawing > below)... etc, etc, etc, using ALL Tomalco Track > turnouts and flex. > > This layout is going to be PRIMARILY for use as a > DISPLAY at trains shows, conventions, etc, so it > MUST BE PORTABLE. I don't want it to be too big to > move, but at the same time I want to be able to run > at least 50' cars on it... and if possible, some 60' > cars. So my objective is to cram as much of this > layout as possible into as small a space as > possible, yet still be able to run at least 50' > equipment. > > The image below shows the basic (not exact) result I > want for this layout : > > > http://www.trainweb.org/seaboard/MODELS/track16d.gif > > 1. I would like the radius of the "Inner Tracks" to > be wide enough for at LEAST 50' cars and still look > decent... so what should that radius be? > > 2. The drawing shows all #4 turnouts, but how much > of a difference in the size of the layout will #5 or > #6 turnouts make over #4 turnouts? > > 3. How long should the "Staging Tracks" be to > accomodate one loco and at least one freight car > without either the loco or car touching a section of > curved track? (this is to avoid coupling problems) > > 4. What should the distance between parallel tracks > be? > > 5. How long of a straight section (easement) should > be used between two opposing curves? > > 6. For the sake of being able to move it by > man-power alone, should I build it in two sections > (or more?) instead of > as a single piece? > > 7. If the whole layout can be built as a single > piece, what framing tyip can anyone offer for such a > project? > > More questions coming as I think of them. > > > John Degnan > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > The Seaboard Air Line Information Collective and > Photo Archive > http://www.trainweb.org/seaboard > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
