Capacity test for R282 single track reversing loop
Here is another view of my capacity test. The R282 is a sharp curve only 282mm in radius (11"), but I started and ended each curve with a wider radius to keep my long passenger cars and big steam engines on the track. This single track reversing loop is right at 2 feet wide and 4 1/2 feet long, and it can hold a train over 6 feet long (10 passenger cars or 18 freight cars plus three diesel units. It is the smallest permissible loop for the length of cars I run.
Reversing loops are not supposed be realistic. They are "hidden trackage" for turning trains around so the observer doesn't see the same train only running in one direction. Therefore, the track radius can be much sharper as long as the train stays on track. I set up and tested single, double, and triple track reversing loops last week. Not all of my equipment runs this well on my smallest loop, so those trains will have to use the outer, wider loops I tested.
My regular mainline radius uses R718 for an easement to start the curve and R481 (19") for most of the curve. That gives me an effective radius of 21.5" that looks so much better.
Capacity test for R282 single track reversing loop
Here is another view of my capacity test. The R282 is a sharp curve only 282mm in radius (11"), but I started and ended each curve with a wider radius to keep my long passenger cars and big steam engines on the track. This single track reversing loop is right at 2 feet wide and 4 1/2 feet long, and it can hold a train over 6 feet long (10 passenger cars or 18 freight cars plus three diesel units. It is the smallest permissible loop for the length of cars I run.
Reversing loops are not supposed be realistic. They are "hidden trackage" for turning trains around so the observer doesn't see the same train only running in one direction. Therefore, the track radius can be much sharper as long as the train stays on track. I set up and tested single, double, and triple track reversing loops last week. Not all of my equipment runs this well on my smallest loop, so those trains will have to use the outer, wider loops I tested.
My regular mainline radius uses R718 for an easement to start the curve and R481 (19") for most of the curve. That gives me an effective radius of 21.5" that looks so much better.