N scale suggestions?

[Blutorse4792]

With the holidays here, I'm going to start work on my N-scale table that's been collecting dust for the last few months. It's a 4x8 table, so it's going to be a fairly large layout.

I've got KATO's Metra set (An MP36 and 3 Nippon-Sharyo bilevels), so I'd like to incorporate a double-tracked mainline oval on the outside perimeter of the layout (With various spurs and yards on the inside). However, it's difficult to double-track curves, keep them a wide enough radius for the Metra cars and keep them evenly spaced while only using curve "sections" (I've never been particularly successful with Flex-Track).

Has anyone ever been able to pull off evenly-spaced, double-tracked curves without using Flex-Track? Any pointers?

For the record, I use Atlas track (the cheap stuff with the black ties and no roadbed).

 

[oknotsen]

How about the good-old "rope and pensil" trick?

Figure out the radius you want, put a pin with a piece of rope connected to it and draw a curve with a pensil at the far and. Decide the distance you want between the tracks, make the rope that much longer and draw another circle.
Place the track on the line and done.

 

[johnwhelan]

I hate to say it but Trainz has fewer dust problems and curves aren't so much of a problem either.

Cheerio John

 

[BD1]

placemarker

 

[JCitron]

In the old days, I used 21-inch radius tracks with good results for passenger cars.

I haven't done anything with my N-scale stuff since 2004, so this brings back some memories.

John

 

[butter]

Since I used both Flex and sectional track, power is a worry, which, if your going for great current, it should be... On the bottom of each piece is the ties. Under the rail on the tie is a hole. You should solder a wire to each section for 100% reliability.