Curve Examples
I had worked this up last night to assist in the Alt Bricks Track Discussion on Eurobricks but Duq beat me to it. I'm posting it anyway as a reference to curve construction techniques and differences in radii.
All of these examples are possible using current LEGO track geometry though some require modifying track sections to make half and quarter length sections. None of these are truly a replacement for a purposely designed and molded larger radius curve however. They all suffer from a jagged profile most noticeable when running shorter wheelbase rolling stock which can wobble quite a bit in some of these curves.
The radius of each track example is measured to the center of the track gauge.
1. This the standard 40 stud radius that LEGO had used since the introduction of their first train sets.
2. This is a 56 stud radius built using standard length curves with half length (8 stud) straight sections in-between.
3. 72 stud radius built using the common flu curve, full straight construction method.
4. 88 stud radius built using 1.5 straight sections (24 studs) in-between full cube sections.
5. 104 stud radius using two full straight sections in-between full curve sections.
6. This is the super wide curve first seen in RAILBRICKS #1 and since adopted by many clubs including my own. This curve as constructed using the method detailed in RAILBRICKS results in a 232 stud radius curve though with some tweaking 216 and 244 stud radius curves can also be achieved.
7. Our standard 40 stud radius again for reference.
8. 56 stud radius built using alternating half curves and quarter straight sections.
9. 72 stud radius using alternating half curve and half straight sections.
10. 88 stud radius using alternating half curve and 3/4 straight sections.
11. 104 stud radius using alternating half curve and full straight sections.
12. This is the most common configuration used when AFOLs and clubs look to increase the radius of the curves in their layouts. This is built using the 72 stud radius technique from example no. 3. When adding additional lines each curve is started one full track section further out than the previous line. While this is the simplest large radius curve to make, requiring no modification of track it is also the least aesthetically pleasing of all the examples. The abruptness of the transition from strait to curve and back to straight again is very noticeable as well as the inconsistency in the distance between tracks as you travel around the curve.
13. This is merely to show just how impossibly tight standard (40 stud radius) LEGO curves are. In less than the space of one 48x48 baseplate a train is changing directions 90 degrees. Most stock LEGO train cars today are at least half the length of this radius. The only real life railways using anything close to such a tight radius would be trolley/tram lines and small industrial railways.
Curve Examples
I had worked this up last night to assist in the Alt Bricks Track Discussion on Eurobricks but Duq beat me to it. I'm posting it anyway as a reference to curve construction techniques and differences in radii.
All of these examples are possible using current LEGO track geometry though some require modifying track sections to make half and quarter length sections. None of these are truly a replacement for a purposely designed and molded larger radius curve however. They all suffer from a jagged profile most noticeable when running shorter wheelbase rolling stock which can wobble quite a bit in some of these curves.
The radius of each track example is measured to the center of the track gauge.
1. This the standard 40 stud radius that LEGO had used since the introduction of their first train sets.
2. This is a 56 stud radius built using standard length curves with half length (8 stud) straight sections in-between.
3. 72 stud radius built using the common flu curve, full straight construction method.
4. 88 stud radius built using 1.5 straight sections (24 studs) in-between full cube sections.
5. 104 stud radius using two full straight sections in-between full curve sections.
6. This is the super wide curve first seen in RAILBRICKS #1 and since adopted by many clubs including my own. This curve as constructed using the method detailed in RAILBRICKS results in a 232 stud radius curve though with some tweaking 216 and 244 stud radius curves can also be achieved.
7. Our standard 40 stud radius again for reference.
8. 56 stud radius built using alternating half curves and quarter straight sections.
9. 72 stud radius using alternating half curve and half straight sections.
10. 88 stud radius using alternating half curve and 3/4 straight sections.
11. 104 stud radius using alternating half curve and full straight sections.
12. This is the most common configuration used when AFOLs and clubs look to increase the radius of the curves in their layouts. This is built using the 72 stud radius technique from example no. 3. When adding additional lines each curve is started one full track section further out than the previous line. While this is the simplest large radius curve to make, requiring no modification of track it is also the least aesthetically pleasing of all the examples. The abruptness of the transition from strait to curve and back to straight again is very noticeable as well as the inconsistency in the distance between tracks as you travel around the curve.
13. This is merely to show just how impossibly tight standard (40 stud radius) LEGO curves are. In less than the space of one 48x48 baseplate a train is changing directions 90 degrees. Most stock LEGO train cars today are at least half the length of this radius. The only real life railways using anything close to such a tight radius would be trolley/tram lines and small industrial railways.