Guide to model train track curves

Although it may not be something that you would think you would have to give a lot of thought to, in all reality track curves are very important to understand, and many times end up becoming a problem area that beginners deal with.

So in this break down, I'm going to explain to you the different types of model train track curves, and why you need to consider their dimensions before piecing together your layout.

The truth is that track curves come in different sizes of radii, because many railroaders will need to run several tracks alongside each other to get the right layout. If you've got a bend coming up, the inside track will require curves that are of a smaller radii than the outside curves for the outside track.

At this point it's important to no confuse arc and radii. The arc is a portion of a complete circle, and the radii is the distance from the center of the circle to the inside edge of the curve.

In order to get a train to make a complete loop and travel in the opposite direction (to go around a curve), you must have a 180 degree turn, or half a circle.

Track radii come in the following sizes

15
22.5
30
45

Train scale does matter, but for larger trains such as the typical HO scale, you will need the largest radius that you can to make that train turn around.

This is why, if you plan on having two tracks run along side each other, you probably would want to focus on getting the outside track right, first.

What if your space is very small or narrow? well you can build a simple freight yard and do the whole point A to point B thing, or you can work with a smaller train scale and use the right radii with your curves for this scale.

The minimum radius that an HO scale model train can turn around on is 15".

The minimum radius for an N scale train is 8.5".

So even with a very narrow train table, you can a complete loop with an HO scale model train, it just might look awkward within the confined space, and the accompanying structures and vegetation may look "stuffed". However, creativity stands strong here, and you may find a unique way of getting this to look right. There are really no rules to model railroading.