24" radius

[Mike Nowakowski]

I looked on the atlas website and they don't have 24" radius track or do they i don't know. And is there a gauge that sets the distance between two tracks, for double track operation.

 

[EvoMan454]

Atlas has 24'' for code 83 only.

 

[ICG/SOU]

Atlas announced 24" radius Code 100 track sometime earlier this year, yet I haven't seen it for sale yet.

 

[UP2CSX]

As has been said, 24" radius is already available for code 83 track and should be available soon for code 100. There is a gauge that supposedly helps you keep double track aligned in curves. I found it to be near worthless, since a curve starts with the tracks closer together and spreads as you get to the apex of the curve. Especially with sectional track, it's very easy to eyeball the distance between tracks in curves.

 

[Ericsauto]

24" radius is available in code 83 by Atlas, I have been buying it. Also http://www.micromark.com has some track laying tools that may help. I use 2 1/4" as the distance between my tracks. A tape or ruler does the best for measuring this.

 

[Rico]

I saw some 18", 22", and 24" code 83 in the LHS, I'll need 24" for the final sub on my pike.
I made a gauge for my curves by taking a square styrene tube and notching the rails in at the apropriate distance. You just slide it along the track as you spike.
As Jim pointed out the distance between track varies entering or exiting the curve, but it works great for the curve itself.

 

[brubakes]

Walther's has different track alignment gauges one of which is a 24" curve so you could use code 100 flex track and still get your radius.

 

[ICG/SOU]

The problem you'll find with parallel curves is that the inside track will be at a smaller radius if you have the straights start and end at the same point for both tracks. To get a 24" inside track radius, you'll need to start the curve sooner and have it end later than the outside track.

Bachmann makes 24" and larger radiuses, but I don't have any experience with their track.

Using the Ribbonrail track gauge above and flex track is the way to go, except for the circumstance of having to cut the track because of a lift out (my situation in two places--I could not avoid not having the lift out on the curve).