Minimum radius

[hoppercar]

How do you determine the minimum radius required for an 1 1/2 scale locomotive, to determine if a blind drivers would be needed,?...is there a quick and simple formula ?

[Bill Shields]

As long as you know the lateral movement, axle spacing and number of axles on the rigid frame.it is a simple CAD layout exercise.

Yes..there are formulas but I like to see it (dinosaur)

Remember...blind drivers most often also require wider tires.

[Fender]

Oftentimes, the limiting factor is not the “rigid wheelbase” (the drivers), but the “total wheelbase” (including the leading and trailing trucks), because there is not enough swing in the trucks for a curve. So you should layout a scale drawing of the engine axles and place it on a drawing of the curve, to see what the sideways displacement of the trucks would need to be.

[STRR]

Here are some items. There was a great article in Grand Scales Quarterly Issue 29.

These didn't attach as I wanted them to.

Good Luck,
Terry Miller

[BuffaloJohn]

Grand Scales Quarterly Issue 29 can be found at:

http://grandscales.com/GSQ_Issue_29.pdf

[wbarbe]

What is the recommended clearance on each side of the track? Would a 3 foot wide right of way be enough.

[Bill Shields]

Probably.

Depends on wide some footpegs are mounted....and how overweight the cattle may be.

I have been in many locations that did not have 3 ft on the lift or transfer table...and some fellows have to pull pegs to get in and out

[Greg_Lewis]

If you have the space, I'd say more is better. I seem to recall that Quentin once said there should always be enough room for a pregnant woman to disembark.

[Fender]

What is the recommended clearance on each side of the track? Would a 3 foot wide right of way be enough.

A 36 inch ROW only gives 18 inches from the centerline on each side. Pretty easy to snag a tree or bridge member with your knee. 48 inches is much better.

[kcameron]

One idea for ROW is the width of the ballasted track plus one mower width on each side.