Track Close Along a Wall Behind a Viewblock I was contemplating how close to the side wall of my layout I could place a long straight track that would sit behind a viewblock to disguise the train traveling behind the viewblock? Being a straight track I figured it could be as close as 1” to the centerline of the track, then another 1” to the viewblock. But if long steam engines etc are going to be using that track, then clearances need to be allowed for the overhang swing of those engines as they entered and exited that track. I went back looking at my experiments with a number of locomotives, and discovered several that needed as much as 1+3/8” clearances,....like this Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern. (and the Big Boy & the PRR GG1, etc) https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/32599?page=6 https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/32599?page=7 So my thoughts turned to whether I might make just the entrance and exit points have 1.5” clearance while the remainder had the 1” clearance? I decided to get out that engine and perform a little mock-up test on my outdoor work table. (that white piece of plastic is 28.5" radius) One end of that 'hidden track' was going to have a Peco large radius turnout on it. I took notice that the loco did NOT have that big 'tail swinging out motion' when utilizing this turnout!! In fact it was very little. I attributed that to the very large radius of the Peco turnout itself. It was acting like a very good 'easement' Wow, could I disregard providing the full 1.5” wall clearance if I utilized this Peco turnout on the one end of the hidden track, and provided a corresponding easement on the other end?? I think so. Here is that large radius Peco coupled up with a fixed curve 24” radius and still no problem with the tail swing of that long loco. (BTW I don't intend to utilize that tight of a curve following the Peco large,...just experimented) Its made me a big believer in using as large of a radius Peco as I can anywhere on the layout. Does anyone see a problem with my analysis here?
The only thing I would caution is to have enough room to clean up any inevitable derailment. Also ensure enough room for your longest cars to swing on the curves. You might have 80+' long heavyweights that steamer will pull, or autoracks if you have a more modern era. If there's insufficient room for your 0-5-0 (fingers), derailments will happen, and be a pain to clean up. Just keep that in mind as you plan. Adding an extra 1/2" to what you already have might be the difference between an enjoyable pike and a maddening, derailment-prone spot.
HO scale. Got it. Now I need to read it again. Yes, easements are good for all kinds of reasons. Your analysis is sound. But layouts often aren't as immobile as you might think. You could wind up marking up your wall, and could also develop a gap large enough to allow derailed rolling stock to find the floor.
