Spacing between track

[Mike Nowakowski]

Whats the minimum spacing that is allowed In MM for track in yards without having cars and locomotives hitting each other.

 

[UP2CSX]

What scale? Do you mean the straight section of yard tracks or where you have several diverging tracks off a ladder?

 

[ICG/SOU]

The closer you have the parallel tracks to each other, you have to be concerned with:

1) using the 0-5-0 (your hand) to move or pull cars and locos off the tracks without disturbing others on the adjacent tracks
2) if you use Caboose Industries ground throws or some sort of grade level switch machine, that they can operate without being hit by the rolling stock and locomotives
3) you waste trackspace for cars because the diverging track that goes to a parallel track can be so close that a car sitting there will foul the other track when a loco or long car passes it.

I used (for the yard), on the straights, whatever the Atlas #6 turnouts put the track at. As a result, I have to place cars exactly behind a certain line so that passing trains don't catch the edge of them (like a loco's grab rails and the exterior posts of a box car or hopper). I also found out that I couldn't use the Caboose Industries adapters for the Atlas track throwbars, since it made them too long and stick out too far.

 

[Mike Nowakowski]

I mean HO and its for yard or double track operation.

 

[UP2CSX]

For double track, it's usually 2 inches on the straight and 2 1/4" on curves. Add a little more if you run lots of long things, like auto racks or 85 foot passenger cars. For yards, uses the 0-5-0 trick. Lay out three track and put cars on all three tracks. Derail and rerail a car a on the center track. If you can't do it without derailing cars on the adjacent tracks, move the tracks apart until you can. You now have your spacing. The size of of your hand is more important than any "standard' spacing.

 

[Beachbum]

Rule of thumb (no pun intended) for HO is 2 inches centerline to centerline on straight yard tracks. I have skinny finger but find that 2-in can be a little tight.