Questions On 18 Inch Radius

[MangakaRailfan]

I joined the forum a couple days ago, so i am a newbie to Japanese Model Railriading. I am running an HoJ layout with 18 inch curve radius as my maximum. (Layout 4x8) Can I run regular trains on it, or do I have to run only trams. (If so, im fine with that.) 

[MangakaRailfan]

Dont worry, i have an awnser now

[inobu]

Try this program to lay your track plan out.

 

 

Inobu

 

 

[MangakaRailfan]

Thanks for your help. I only have a small 4x8 so i have ro put tighter curves as a result

[inobu]

The Trial Program limits you to 50 pieces of track. You can use it to maximize the 4x8 spacing with ease. 

The image shows the WGH track plan that is made up of 47 track pieces. 3 Pieces below the Demo trial limit.

 

You are able to pick different track Atlas, Kato or what ever.

 

The image show a 4' x 8' layout using Kato Unitrack. This a lot faster

 

 

Track
2-130 (S174), H0 Kato Unitrack, Straight 6.85".    4
2-140 (S123), H0 Kato Unitrack, Straight 4.84".    3
2-150 (S246), H0 Kato Unitrack, Straight 9.69".    4
2-151 (S246F), H0 Kato Unitrack, Straight feeder 9.69".    1
2-170 (S109B), H0 Kato Unitrack, Buffer/Bumper 4.29".    2
2-270 (R490-22.5), H0 Kato Unitrack, Curve radius 19.29", angle 22.5º    29
2-840 (HP-490L), H0 Kato Unitrack, Left turnout 9.69". (manual)    2
2-841 (HP-490R), H0 Kato Unitrack, Right turnout 9.69". (manual)    2

Track lengths
2-130 (S174), H0 Kato Unitrack, Straight 6.85".    27.4
2-140 (S123), H0 Kato Unitrack, Straight 4.84".    14.53
2-150 (S246), H0 Kato Unitrack, Straight 9.69".    38.74
2-151 (S246F), H0 Kato Unitrack, Straight feeder 9.69".    9.69
2-170 (S109B), H0 Kato Unitrack, Buffer/Bumper 4.29".    8.58
2-270 (R490-22.5), H0 Kato Unitrack, Curve radius 19.29", angle 22.5º    219.7
2-840 (HP-490L), H0 Kato Unitrack, Left turnout 9.69". (manual)    34.52
2-841 (HP-490R), H0 Kato Unitrack, Right turnout 9.69". (manual)    34.52

Total track length:   32.31'

 

Inobu

[Rod.H]

I was told to treat 18" as your minimum as some stock won't run on it, but then the 4'x8' I built is a double track main oval with peco setrack R2 and R3 curves and R3 is kinda the limit for an 4'x8'.

 

And yes it also has passing loops built in with trailing and leading crossovers and with dcc I can run 2 trains at once in either direction though the manual switching makes life interesting.

Edited February 28, 2022 by Rod.H