--- In [email protected], "Art Armstrong" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>I have always believed that the advantage of the three point gauge
>was that it automatically widened the gauge on curves.
I always assumed that the main reason was that the gauge only works if
whatever measures the track gauge is perpendicular to the track, plus
it (supposedly) leaves both hands free for spiking. I think the
widening on curves is a by-product.
I'm always curious about the math of these things. I drew some
pictures and got out my calculator. If the two prongs are spaced one
inch apart, on 42" curves the three point guage will spread the rails
+.003 inches, on 32" curves the gauge will spread +.004. If the prongs
are 3/4 inch apart, the spread goes down to +.002, even on a 32"
curve. I don't know how accurate you guys are, but I don't think I can
hit +/- .002 inches no matter what gauge I use.
Personally, I used three point gauges when handlaying track in HO (in
my days of youthful ignorance before I saw the light). In S I have
only ever used the flat NASG gauge, and I don't widen the gauge in
curves. I have never had any derailment or any other gauge related
problem on curves I laid in S scale.
-Michael Eldridge
-San Jose, CA
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