I have done some measurement that could be interesting, as described in this entry: http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine...-wondering-where-to-start&p=935241#post935241 Direct link to my artice: http://www.platelayer.com/z-scale-track-dimensions.aspx
Marklin's pier set requires using ramps to hold the track. Those ramps are 110mm straight and 145mm 45 degree curve. They may limit your design. You might want to consider a continuous foam ramp. Several sizes and grade slopes are available. Just glue the foam riser down a cut to match the terrain. Mark
True true. Risers are best for double track. Yes I was pondering which risers I need for minimum clearances. An incline starter and up to 2 inch risers will do the trick. FYI- Plaster cloth is better from craft stores than the model train market.
A minimum clearance is much less than 2" and considering the briefcase layout you posted, you won't want to waste a bit of the clearance. You can get by with 1 1/4" measured from the railhead to obstruction. Mark
Great! What about couplers? Is there one strong dependable knuckle coupler that fits all? Is the MTL N trip pin plate the same for Z? Makes sense if it is for physical rail clearance rather than scale clearance.
Everyone has their own coupler for various non-technical reasons and every modeler has an opinion. Marklin couplers are not compatible with any others. MTL in general is the "accepted" coupler but they won't sell to OEMs. The remaining manufacturers use a similiar somewhat compatible knuckle. I generally use the MTL coupler. The Marklin coupler isn't particularly easy to change, I generally replace the truck and coupler as a unit. I also use transisition cars, a car with a a marklin coupler on one end and an MTL on the other. Of course if all your all you rolling stock is from Marklin, MTL or AZL there isn't a compatibility issue. I don't do N scale but I believe the trip pin plate is the same. Hope this helps, Mark
I followed your advice and got some MTL902 coupler sets. This way I can make conversion cars until I like one specific coupler design.
Turnout question. How is an oval with proper geometry formed off a through track with turnouts with 13 degree curves (Marklin 8566)? Is there a turnout with a 30 or 45 degree curve?
The simplest way is to use the 490mm 13 degree (Marklin 8591) connected to the diverging route of the turnout in the opposite sense (turn left on a right handed turnout. This results in two parallel tracks that are 25mm apart and you can use the 220mm and 195mm curves to complete the oval. http://www.micro-trains.com/Track Planning Diagrams.pdf has some diagrams that may be of use. If you're looking at just continuing the diverging route around the curve,using a 30 and 45 degree curve gets you just 2 degrees off, although you'll need a small straight section in the inner curve to make the connection from side to side. If you really want to be creative, there is Marklin's flex track 8594 that you can shape to what you need. Sorry no 30 or 45 degree turns. The divergance is so great you wouldn't be able to run most rolling stock through the turnout. There is a 26 degree turnout in the Rokuhan product line that I like mechanically and visually for 40-50 foot rolling stock. Hope this helps, Mark
Thanks Mark. I was looking for the missing modular piece and you explained it. I am considering modular track. Instead of using a piece of flex track, another way is to chop modular track with a razor saw in three or four places and now you have a forgiveness track at the perfect radius. Section it for the perfect length. You might be able to use the rails from flex track to replace the modular track rails for fewer joiners. I'd have to play with this expensive concept. See the article at Fifer Hobby http://www.fiferhobby.com/html/how_to_make_your_own_lengths_o.html I used this technique with Kato double track. Kinda like the Rokuhan flexible modular track. Just measure three times before cutting.
Here are some other resources about working with cut sectional track... Micro-Trains: http://jamesriverbranch.net/plans_short.htm Rokuhan: http://ganddinz.blogspot.com/2011/02/making-cut.html And some information on working with switches-- Micro-Trains: http://jamesriverbranch.net/plans_notch.htm Rokuhan: http://jamesriverbranch.net/clinic_4.htm
How forgivable are Z trucks? Can the Heel Rails be butted against another (creating an s-curve)? On the Rokuhan turnouts they look like they are straight which would give the truck barely enough time to relax before zagging the other way.
The situation for s-curves is a bit more complicated than just the trucks. It's also a matter of how couplers are mounted, the length of the rolling stock and the radius of the curves. From my experience, one can successfully do s-curves down to 145mm with Marklin and MTL rolling stock to at least 50 ft (proto) in length. I personally find the effect of the s-curves a bit cartoonish as the cars are hanging well beyond the roadbed. Since my first layout, I've avoided s-curves with at least a 25mm intervening straight section except for the case of parallel tracks with ajoining turnouts. When you refer to the Rokuhan turnouts, I assume you mean the 110mm 13-degree ones. They're build on a 490mm radius, which is nearly straight. The s-curve that's needed for parallel tracks seems to work with nearly everything, although I've heard of issues with the Big Boys and RDCs run as a set having problems negociating them. I don't have much experience with the 55mm turnouts yet, but just from the specified radius (127mm) I would have concerns about anything over 50 ft (proto). Hope this helps, Mark
Helps a lot.I've redesigned the layout yet again since there isn't a good way to include a proper length Z passing and loop on a standard Ntrak 2x4 module.I did find room for a 34" spur.
Generally speaking, modelrailroading practice recommand a straight section at least as long as the longest vehicle to be run between 2 opposite curves. So we shouldn't even speak of S curves.. Dom
