peco gauge 1 sl800 minimum radius
- Thread starter graybold
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hagen
Registered
I have bent mine 5' radius, this requires pinning down the track.
Also I did not "bend" the track, I just put it on the trackbed, start with a straight section and pin the track, then I had no particular problems just easing the track in place for the next pin, about 15cm between pins. and a pin on both sides of a rail joint.
I also staggered the joints to avoid kinks in the rail where track sections meet.
I do not think I would try to go much lower than 3' radius because the ties will have trouble maintaining a proper gauge. Such sharp bends should ideally be gauge widened as well.
Also I did not "bend" the track, I just put it on the trackbed, start with a straight section and pin the track, then I had no particular problems just easing the track in place for the next pin, about 15cm between pins. and a pin on both sides of a rail joint.
I also staggered the joints to avoid kinks in the rail where track sections meet.
I do not think I would try to go much lower than 3' radius because the ties will have trouble maintaining a proper gauge. Such sharp bends should ideally be gauge widened as well.
bobg
Registered
I've pulled G45 (heavier) down to 4ft rad without too much difficulty, I did make up a jim-crow and used it every half sleeper on the inside rail. I also pinned it, but only three times per length. I'm sure it would go a bit tighter if required. Another option is to change to fixed track for your tightest sections.
[align=center]I see you are using bachman type trains, as these have large flanges then they should stay on the track, as the gauge is pretty spot on 45.1 other makes may jump off but I think theywould on any make at that radius, distortion is the problem at that sort of bend
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hagen
Registered
at 5' radius I can run any make trains on the Peco track, from LGB to finescale (if the finescale has springs).
Any sharper, I can not guarantee anything, but down to 3' rad would probably work (as I mentioned above).
Distortion gets bad after 3' because of the ways the ties are laid. Either way you will have to snip of the connecting strip between the ties on the inside of the curve.
Any sharper, I can not guarantee anything, but down to 3' rad would probably work (as I mentioned above).
Distortion gets bad after 3' because of the ways the ties are laid. Either way you will have to snip of the connecting strip between the ties on the inside of the curve.