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Distance between Tracks HO
Mike has an HO layout and wants to test readers knowledge by asking:
“What is the recommended distance between tracks on a straight and a curve?”
Answer using the green comments link.
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The non technical answer is; Just Wide enough that 2 Bigboys can pass without leaving any parts behind in the roadbed after they go by each other!!
Mike,
I haven’t been ‘in’ HO for a while but I recall the standard distance for straight track was to have two inch centers. That is, starting from exactly between the rails of any straight track section, measure two inches to the side and this would be the center line for the other parallel track section.
Curved track spacing would be a bit wider because you can get overhang from long equipment such as passenger cars and they could ‘clip’ one another as they went by. Unfortunately, I’m not sure what that measurement is but I know it is wider, perhaps 1/2 inch more an inch or so.
Here is the link to get to the NMRA (National Model Railroader Associations) Standards page which should get you more info:
http://www.nmra.org/standards/standards.html
Hope this helps,
Geof
I got power-loc track and the weith is 4 inches. Curves you have to have a little wider,outside track has greater radius. Standard radius is 19 degrees, 22 degrees is fror outside double track. But to make sure of enough space use 1and half inch space between tracks.