How is track diameter calculated

[NorthwestGarrattGuy]

I need to exactly measure the area I'm working in so I can put in a border but I do know where track diameter is measured from

 

[Paul M]

I need to exactly measure the area I'm working in so I can put in a border but I do know where track diameter is measured from

Usually you measure the radius, from the center of the circle. The diameter across the circle

 

[JimmyB]

Usually you measure the radius, from the center of the circle. The diameter across the circle

To the centre of the track, not either rail.

 

[dunnyrail]

Those answers just about round it up.

 

[SevenOfDiamonds]

The LGB website (https://www.lgb.com/fileadmin/media/lgb/produkte/produktinformationen/LGB_Gleissystem-Info.pdf) gives both centre-to-centre and outer-edge-to-outer-edge figures . . .



Of course, the OP is in the USA so may be using a different brand of track.

Cheers

David

 

[Gavin Sowry]

The LGB website (https://www.lgb.com/fileadmin/media/lgb/produkte/produktinformationen/LGB_Gleissystem-Info.pdf) gives both centre-to-centre and outer-edge-to-outer-edge figures . . .

View attachment 305338

Of course, the OP is in the USA so may be using a different brand of track.

Cheers

David

You can deduce from that table, that LGB plain sleepers/ties are 86mm long.

 

[Paul M]

To the centre of the track, not either rail.

Usually you measure the radius, from the center of the circle. The diameter across the circle

I've just realised I read the initial question incorrectly, sorry, blame my friends for being generous with the old vino!
Yes you measure from the centre of you proposed curve, to the centre of the track

 

[PhilP]

LGB is given as to the centre line.. As others have said, some manufacturers dimensions are to the outer rail.

Remember, you need to allow clearance beyond these figures for clearance of stock. - Both outside of the curve, and inside to allow for long-stock cutting-in.


PhilP

 

[Paradise]

Those answers just about round it up.

We don't need another thread going around in circles.

 

[Paradise]

The LGB website (https://www.lgb.com/fileadmin/media/lgb/produkte/produktinformationen/LGB_Gleissystem-Info.pdf) gives both centre-to-centre and outer-edge-to-outer-edge figures . . .

View attachment 305338

Of course, the OP is in the USA so may be using a different brand of track.

Cheers

David

Tranli track uses a different R classification which makes more sense than LGB so be careful of that otherwise it will drive you around the bend.
Aristocraft track designated lengths are in feet but actually in 300mm amounts like LGB which is slightly different so be careful of that too.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Two things to add:

1. Phil P is right on, in fact my Aristo RDC cars have the worst overhang of all my rolling stock... plan wisely.
2. Also Paradise is right on, "R" numbers are all over the place, especially here in the USA.

Check the link to charts of "R" numbers vs actual measurements. Beware! Best to work in actual measurements.

G scale Sectional Track

Greg Elmassian web site on large scale trains and garden railroads, cigars, and computers

elmassian.com

Greg

 

[NorthwestGarrattGuy]

crap i forgot about this thread but i have an update im looking on making my own turnouts from aluminum bar stock to save money for when i do the extension next year some im trying to figure out what the dimensions for all the rail bits of a 3 foot radius turnout

 

[tac foley]

The LGB website (https://www.lgb.com/fileadmin/media/lgb/produkte/produktinformationen/LGB_Gleissystem-Info.pdf) gives both centre-to-centre and outer-edge-to-outer-edge figures . . .

View attachment 305338

Of course, the OP is in the USA so may be using a different brand of track.

Cheers

David

The centre of the track is the centre of the track, no matter where you live.

 

[NorthwestGarrattGuy]

The centre of the track is the centre of the track, no matter where you live.

all this was helpful however i have been looking into turnouts as i have said

 

[Gavin Sowry]

all this was helpful however i have been looking into turnouts as i have said

Now you're opening up the can of worms!
First, get your head around the different 'concepts' of turnouts, and their terminologies. The simple LGB type is a circular curve type (rare in real life) where the curved road is curved, constantly, all the way through. Good for practical modelling, because (in the case of LGB) you can replace a curved section of track with the curved road of a turnout. 'Real' turnouts are mostly straight through the frog section, and described by the angle, but beware, there are different ways of naming the frog size. A #9 turnout, is not the same as a 1 in 9 turnout... all to do with the formulae used. I won't give a full mathmatical explaination, but one method uses a tan(1/x) measure, the other 2(tan(½/x).... don't ask.

 

[GAP]

all this was helpful however i have been looking into turnouts as i have said

Print these out and use as a template they are for R5.
I use flex track rail and make sleepers/ties from ripped up treated pine boards.

 

[NorthwestGarrattGuy]

Print these out and use as a template they are for R5.
I use flex track rail and make sleepers/ties from ripped up treated pine boards.

ah R5 is too big i need piko R3 (which is diffirent from LGB r3)

 

[Paul M]

crap i forgot about this thread but i have an update im looking on making my own turnouts from aluminum bar stock to save money for when i do the extension next year some im trying to figure out what the dimensions for all the rail bits of a 3 foot radius turnout

You need Igor, of this forum. He's made all sorts of points out of Aluminium bar.

 

[NorthwestGarrattGuy]

You need Igor, of this forum. He's made all sorts of points out of Aluminium bar.

ah so thats who should talk to

 

[dunnyrail]

You need Igor, of this forum. He's made all sorts of points out of Aluminium bar.

Indeed @Igor is your man, but he is building track to massive radius/angle/degree for massive locomotives.