Hello, What is the minimum radius that G scale track is sold in?

David Palmeter

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And if, like me, you build a layout with LGB R1 and ignore the advice of almost everyone to stay away from S-curves, you end up with the dreaded radical couple offsets. This may be why the hook 'n' loop coupler was invented. I did modify my Kalamazoo short passenger cars to work with Kadee 906 couplers through the S-curves.
 
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To answer the original question - leaving aside the very specialised (and currently unobtainable) "barrel circle" tracks mentioned above - the tightest radius "production" track I'm aware of is Bertram Heyn's "Radius 0", which is, as you'd expect from the name, smaller than standard Radius 1. It is available with either standard style sleepers or some rather attractive "random" rough-hewn narrow gauge type sleepers that look nice for small industrial or estate lines. You can either use them with standard R1 points, or Heyn do some very nice (though quite expensive) Rad 0 points in either built-up or kit form.

I have a circle of the Rad 0, and have done some tests with LGB locos and stock - the small Feldbahn locos and wagons handle it just fine, as does the standard LGB 4-wheel power block, though it is VERY tight for the regular-length LGB 4-wheel stock. A Stainz will run round it happily with some feldbahn wagons in tow, if run bunker-first; running smokebox-first is just about possible but right up against the limits of coupler lock due to the longer rear overhang of the loco.

I would say that the R0 track is useful stuff for specialised uses (such as a minimum-space industrial layout where you still want a continuous run loop) but I certainly wouldn't use it for a more general layout.

Jon.
So what is the diameter?
 

Zerogee

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844mm diameter by the look of it, so 33"

Heyn 45mm gauge track

Yes, sorry for not quoting the actual radius (422mm)..... the R0 range includes some lovely pointwork in standard, Y and 3-way configurations, great for building a minimum-size layout:


Very pricy as ready-builts, but more affordable in kit form - and let's be honest, you're not going to need very much....

Jon.
 

Hutch

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View attachment 251183

And if, like me, you build a layout with LGB R1 and ignore the advice of almost everyone to stay away from S-curves, you end up with the dreaded radical couple offsets. This may be why the hook 'n' loop coupler was invented. I did modify my Kalamazoo short passenger cars to work with Kadee 906 couplers through the S-curves.
The Kalamazoo starter sets and individual curved tracks that I have seen have all been 5 foot diameter, so problems on R1 (~4 foot diameter) would be expected with their rolling stock and some engines. The Kalamazoo 4-4-0 Locomotives had a reputation for the pilot trucks jumping the track on R1 track.
---Hutch
 

Dan

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I bent a pair of 8 foot rails and it came out to be a 29 inch circle. No power issues as there is only one clamp per rail!! LGB FRR cars and Hartland kit cars run well on this tight circle.
Also makes for instant setup of an RR.