> I was under the impression that they would NARROW the gauge on
curves, not widen them. But then, I guess it would depend on which
rail you had the gauge on... the INNER rail of the curve or the
OUTER rail... if on the inner rail it should narrow the gauge and on
the outer rail it should widen the gauge. No?
> John Degnan
Mr. John...Many model railroaders like to widen the gauge on their
sharper-than-prototype curves to permit large steam locos -- such as
the 4-8-4 type -- to negotiate the sharp curves without binding.
The wider gauge has no other disadvantages and makes life a lot
easier for those large coal-fueled water-powered locos of days gone
by.
One of the main advantages of the three-point track gage is that
this gauge "adjustment" is more or less automatic. On sharper
curves, the widening effect is greater. On gradual curves, it is
lesser. No need to buy micrometers, etc. Unless you are building
turnouts on curves, there is no reason not to widen the gauge a
bit. Even with curved turnouts, it is a good idea but you have to
be a bit more careful with guard rails, frogs, and the like.
If the three-point gauge is used incorrectly (backwards), it will
narrow the gauge and end results might not be to your liking.
While there are many other ways to insure that large steamers can
negotiate sharp curves, gauge widening is probably the easiest to
accomplish.
Cheers...Ed L.
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