Hi all! I’m a new guy, both to this forum and to large scale. I’m switching (no pun) from HO. I’m just starting to design an indoor layout to see whether I can achieve my operating and scenic goals in my limited space. I have a 15’ x 22’ dedicated layout room (yes, I know… tiny space for large scale!), with space in an adjacent room for staging. I’m thinking 1:20.3 finescale, mountain narrow guage, logging, mining and agriculture. I’m thinking in terms of three or four highly-detailed vignettes connected by a twice-around-the-room oval strategically disguised with scenery. I may have room for a peninsula in the middle, which would be a good site for a mine or logging operation. Probably stick with geared locos due to space and curvature (plus I like ‘em). Rolling stock will be scratch or kit built, 36’ max length.
First of what I’m sure will be a series of newbie questions:
What minimum radius should I use? I’m hoping 48" will work.
I plan to build turnouts in place (probably stubs). What is the minimum frog number I should use?
What’s the finescale equivalent of 30-40# rail?
Any guidance anyone wants to give me would be welcomed.
Lee