Hello!
 

I've just joined the railway forum as my upcoming project at university will be related to transport and, you guessed it, rail!

I'm looking for some help to figure out the degree of curvature on a railroad that I plan on designing.

I've read the for rail, one should use the degree of curvature using the chord method... However, the whole concept of calculating this out seems very overwhelming!

I've come across a useful website, which contains the 'instructions', but I can't seem to work it out...

It's figure 9.7 that is relevant to what I want to calculate, if anybody has experience with such mathematics.

Thank you

http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...0-00-1/CH9.htm

The only 'reference' of my plan is a general outline of the proposed rail line. It's only a guidance so of course, it will change but I figured that something is better than nothing!

https://dl-web.dropbox.com/get/rail.png?w=9bb58663

Hi N Stocks and welcome to the forum. Unfortunately I cant help you with your question but I am sure someone will, as there are many very knowledgable people here.
Hope you find your answers.
Best wishes
Phil

Welcome to the group.

Hi Stocks
Welcome to the madhouse

As for the Math no chance I'm afraid I use the tried and tested Peco tracksetta templates
or the other method see what its and check the gap is wide enough for OO to pass without touching
That will be another problem you encounter OO scale has a gauge of 16.5mm but if you check out the true gauge for 1/76 you will find it's 18.2mm so all your calculations will have to take that into account (OO is a lazy man's scale as the rail gap is true scale for HO scale)

Like I said welcome to the madhouse

Thanks for all the replies and welcomes! :)

I've decided just to use a 'template' from the internet which follows very similar principles to the 'chords' method of determining the curvature of railroads...

I've opened it up in Illustrator and below are the results...

It looks a lot better than my original guess, but again, this isn't even going to happen, I just need to show that I have looked into it and apply some from of 'rule' to the railroad design.

A bit of a vague question, but does this curve look 'right' to you? (it's the orange line, the black wheel is the template I've found)

Thank you

https://dl-web.dropbox.com/get/curve.png?w=03422b2c

I for one am locked out as I don't use whatever site drop box is
there is a way to upload images direct to the forum suggest that would be easier for us to comment on - - it gives everyone a thumbnail that we can click and enlarge

Hope this works!

thanks for your help

It works and the curve looks right although I'd highlight it a little more to emphasise it

Hello NS. A belated welcome from me too!