New to LS trains, going to start on a shelf to handle two tracks in future, I will layout just a straight shelf arcoss back of garage to start with, need to know what is recommented for clearance from wall, center to center on tracks and total width of shelf, thanks Bruce in Southern OHIO
There are some excellent books out there with minimum basic spacing,clearance’s,radius etc. for G scale trains. I own them all “I Think”. What I’m saying is there are so many variables to this question and if everyone answered what they used or thought what was correct …your head will spin…
Example:
I focus on 1:29 but scratch build in 1:24 (cause it’s easy) and a lot is off the cuff or by eye but it’s a base point. I’m outta the norm here as I run/prefer modern day equiptment. Your personal invision/overall plan for a RR is is the question to ask as I see it?
I’ll refer you to this thread for a little past discussion on the topic: http://www.largescalecentral.com/LSCForums/viewtopic.php?pid=41785
Looks like they decided 10 scale feet minimum for Narrow gauge 1.20.3 equipment. There is reference in that thread to a 12 scale foot gauge that is 7 1/8 inches wide.
12 scale foot gauge
I would allow a minimum of 7" width per track for straight sections with perhaps 8" for the larger 1:20.3 mikes should you decide to ever get any.
Ya’ see!
David Russell said:I should have said a Clearance Gauge measuring 12 scale feet. 12 Ft Gauge would be super broad gauge 'eh ?
12 scale foot gauge :)
Bottom line is I guess that you can’t put the tracks too far apart, but you sure can put them too close. Equipment always seems to grow wider, especially if you run any 1:20.3.
My mobile clearance gauge is a Bachman 45 ton diesel. It’s HUGE 
I will use the Closetmaid wire shelving and shelf brackets, 16" wide, ( unless someone has a cheaper stronger idea ) just start with one track and short sections as I accumalate track, someday two tracks or a least a passing siding, thanks for the input, Bruce in Southern OHIO
No problem Bruce. Happy to be able to confuse you more The 16" shelving should work just fine for straight track at any of the gauge 1 scales. You will need to fill the corners if you end up doing curves.
Dear Bruce,
I wrote a post on cutting corner shelf pieces out of plywood on the B’mann Board:
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,6808.0.html
Closetmaid probably makes wire corners that will work for you, though.
Keep in mind the overhang of the cowcatcher that could slam into your walls if the track is too close.
Allow 3-1/2" clearance from the center-line of the track to the wall for Bachmann 4-6-0 Big Haulers.
Other makes, models, more perhaps?
Sincerely,
Joe Satnik
I use 13 scale feet center to center… adjust to your scale… half of that of course from track centerline to a wall… more for curves near a wall of course.
Since I do 1:29, that’s 5.4", I am building a 5 track storage yard using 6" center to center spacing… of course, your 4-6-0 is 1:22 and “standard” narrow gauge is larger…
Just multiply 13*12 and divide by your scale to get actual inches…
Regards, Greg
I have spec’d out usiing either Knape & Vogt (my 1st choice) or Stanley heavy duty shelf brackets for my basement perimeter wall layout. Here’s one link for the Knape & Vogt: http://woodworker.com/set---white-bracket-mssu-116-300.asp.
Another link: http://www.thehardwarehut.com/shelfbrackets.php
They of course would require lagging into the vertical studs to achieve their weight ratings but that applies to all wall-mounted shelving support systems that I have seen. The width (21") would permit up to a 24" wide shelf. They also make a slightly smaller bracket if you want to keep the shelf narrower. I had in fact designed 28" wide shelving for my layout. I figured that if the shelf (3/4" plywood) is secured properly to the bracket (back and front) and the bracket to the wall, then the 7" overhang is inconsequential given the weight rating on the brackets.
Bruce,
Consider doing ladders instead of passing sidings. This will eliminate the “S-curves” and give you longer sidings.
regular sidings (with undesirable “S-curves”) :
\--------------/
The secret to the ladder is to start in a corner and use the curve portion of the turnout as the “main”:
(This example uses 30 degree curves and turnouts.)
l l
l straight l
\ first 30 degree curve /
\ second 30 /
\ turnout points /
------ turnout curve “main”------------------------------------------------/
\ turnout straight /
------regular 30 degree curve into last rung of ladder --------------/
Assuming a rectangular room, you could have a ladder siding on every wall. In that case the only single track would be the four “second 30s” in the corners.
To add more rungs, widen the shelf and connect the next turnout points end to the previous turnout straight. (Last rung moved out.)
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Joe Satnik
All great information, have found some good sites to read up on information, thanks everyone for help, will advise on progess, thanks Bruce in southern Ohio
Got my first engine today in mail, Shay engine, will have to find someone local to run on track power, hope to go to Shayguru’s and look at his set up soon, snow and cold here in southern OHIO
Took engine to Shayguru’s today, front truck was not attached, he found that it had broken front plate screw holes from shipping, he proptly took apart and replaced with one of his spare plates, also let me borrow a small transformer and I took home. Ran Shay this evening, about two inches each way, all the track I have, will purchase track soon, thanks everyone for your help, Bruce in southern OHIO
Your Oval should arrive in a few days, you’ll be able to go much “farther” then
cale
Bruce, You mentioned a Caboose earlier in an email…this one (Southern) would work well with your Shay…by LGB and nearly a Steal at $60! http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs025/1102543198138/archive/1103003809959.html cale
(http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs025/1102543198138/img/47.jpg?a=1103003809959)
This is an Equally good deal, that some say look nice with the Bachmann 45 ton Diesel! $70.
(http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs025/1102543198138/img/329.jpg?a=1103003809959)
Appreciate all the help here, thanks Bruce in southern OHIO
Thanks Cale, mail man brought track today, will take to garage and run in a circle, will be first trip, one of many I hope, will let you know how if goes, thanks again, Bruce
C. Nelson said:
Bruce, You mentioned a Caboose earlier in an email…this one (Southern) would work well with your Shay…by LGB and nearly a Steal at $60! http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs025/1102543198138/archive/1103003809959.html cale(http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs025/1102543198138/img/47.jpg?a=1103003809959)
This is an Equally good deal, that some say look nice with the Bachmann 45 ton Diesel! $70.
(http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs025/1102543198138/img/329.jpg?a=1103003809959)