Fast Tracks

What does everyone think is the best frog size for a 12'x18' room in HO scale?? All of my rolling stock is 40' or shorter and four axle engines. I'm thinking a #5 would be good.

Dan,

Number five will suffice for your equipment and better fit into your space MOSTLY. Any crossovers you might build, consider number 6 minimum and widen the track spacing some to maximize the straight section between the turnouts. Be careful to not have turnouts that create 'S' curves in the design. You'll find you can even move up to 50' rolling stock without any problems but if you get any 6 axle diesels or larger long wheelbase steam you'll start to have some reliability problems. Smaller 10 wheelers and moguls will do well with the number 5 turnouts.

Still, with all this, try real hard to keep minimum radius above 22" and be sure to allow for easements. Your couplers will thank you.

_________________
-ed mccamey-
COSLAR RR - http://www.coslar.us/
NMRA Standards and Conformance Department
PROTO & FINE Scale Coordinator
I estimate I have about 5 pounds of coupler springs somewhere in the vicinity of my workbench.