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
7 3/8" gage
Moderator: Harold_V
7 3/8" gage
"Always stopping my train, and risking my ankles, with American made, New Balance sneakers."
- steamin10
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Re: 7 3/8" gage
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.
Big Dave, former Millwright, Electrician, Environmental conditioning, and back yard Fixxit guy. Now retired, persuing boats, trains, and broken relics.
We have enough youth, how about a fountain of Smart. My computer beat me at chess, but not kickboxing
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We have enough youth, how about a fountain of Smart. My computer beat me at chess, but not kickboxing
It is not getting caught in the rain, its learning to dance in it. People saying good morning, should have to prove it.
Re: 7 3/8" gage
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.
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.
3/4" Juliet II 0-4-0
3/4" Purinton Mogul "Pogo"
3/4" Hall Class 10 wheeler
3/4" Evans Caribou/Buffalo 2-8-0
3/4" Sweet Violet 0-4-0
3/4" Hunslet 4-6-0
3/4" Kozo A3. Delayed construction project
1 1/2" A5 Camelback 0-4-0
3/4" Purinton Mogul "Pogo"
3/4" Hall Class 10 wheeler
3/4" Evans Caribou/Buffalo 2-8-0
3/4" Sweet Violet 0-4-0
3/4" Hunslet 4-6-0
3/4" Kozo A3. Delayed construction project
1 1/2" A5 Camelback 0-4-0
Re: 7 3/8" gage
Glad to hear some discussion of the theory. Thanks, guys!
"Always stopping my train, and risking my ankles, with American made, New Balance sneakers."
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Re: 7 3/8" gage
If I remember right, Silver Lake and Ossipee set theirs at 7 5/16". Great, now we've got to regauge everything...
"If you took the bones out they wouldn't be crunchy!" -Monty Python's Flying Circus
Re: 7 3/8" gage
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.
Bob D.
3/4" Juliet II 0-4-0
3/4" Purinton Mogul "Pogo"
3/4" Hall Class 10 wheeler
3/4" Evans Caribou/Buffalo 2-8-0
3/4" Sweet Violet 0-4-0
3/4" Hunslet 4-6-0
3/4" Kozo A3. Delayed construction project
1 1/2" A5 Camelback 0-4-0
3/4" Purinton Mogul "Pogo"
3/4" Hall Class 10 wheeler
3/4" Evans Caribou/Buffalo 2-8-0
3/4" Sweet Violet 0-4-0
3/4" Hunslet 4-6-0
3/4" Kozo A3. Delayed construction project
1 1/2" A5 Camelback 0-4-0
Re: 7 3/8" gage
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
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
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