7 3/8" gage

[PRR5406]

I was recently advised that spacing my rails at 7 3/8" gauge was the best way to avoid issues with track joints and the like. I'd like to hear what other builders of back yard track (in the east) have to say about it.

Dick

[steamin10]

It sound like building in an issue to start. How do you get equipment to not pinch its toes on the narrow standard. Sounds like asking for trouble to me. The standard promoted have been worked out a long time ago, and proven by the test of time. Square wheels or round or oval are novel approaches, but most ideas dont improve anything. Stick with the proven road.

[Bob D.]

Dave, we run 7-1/4" in the east not 7-1/2" gauge.
Dick, i think 7-3/8" is too wide. Track gauge is supposed to be at 7-1/4", ok to add 1/16" in curves. Wheel gauge is less than 7-1/4". Look at the Standards,
http://ibls.org/mediawiki/index.php?tit ... l_Standard

Bob D.

[PRR5406]

Glad to hear some discussion of the theory. Thanks, guys!

[OddDuck]

If I remember right, Silver Lake and Ossipee set theirs at 7 5/16". Great, now we've got to regauge everything...

[Bob D.]

Plastic Accuties are gauged at 7-3/8" so I may be wrong. It is mainly an issue if someone runs actual scale treads on their locos. Gauge becomes more fussy with narrow wheels.

Bob D.

[Harlock]

For 7.5" gauge, most railroads opt for 7 9/16 or 7 5/8, even on the straights. It seems to solve a lot of tracking issues with larger locomotives.

If you go .125 larger than your nominal gauge, it gives .0625" per side of wiggle room. That seems to be about right. So for 7.25" gauge, 7.375" would be the equivalent. That is not enough to cause problems with skinny wheels.

Best,

-M