Minimum space Model Railway with 9 inch radius curves

This model railway has been built to show that it is possible to create a continuous run layout in a small space - only 6' by 2'. There are two run around loops and two sidings, giving plenty of scope for operating, shunting etc. There is space for more sidings but I wanted to leave more room for buildings and scenery, which will be the next stage.
Locos that run well on such tight radius curves include all Hornby 0-4-0 locos, a Hornby J94 and Class 08 diesel (both 0-6-0), a Bachmann Class 08 and a Rivarossi S100 USA tank (also 0-6-0). Avoid long wheelbase wagons (unless they are bogie wagons). The coach and bogie bolster wagons in this video are both by Tri-ang.

[@brendanmooney3724]

Great for round the Christmas tree.

[@michaelricks1618]

That's really fascinating - especially the bogie stock. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@Alexanderjamesholmes]

Thank you very much Richard. I have only limited space available for my layout and have been put off by so many people on various forums saying that anything below radius 1 is impossible, even with flexitrack. Your videos have opened up a world of opportunity now! I do realise that achieving tight circles is by no means an easy task, but I'd prefer to take that challenge on than have no layout at all, or one that is limited to shunting, kind regards, Alex

[@dutchbeef8920]

Really like how you’re running both HO and OO because why not. I have some Dutch HO and I like the old OO stuff too.

[@richardhiggins6471]

Yes, I have a bit of HO, most of it very old Lima or Fleischmann (pretty bullet-proof) and great fun to run. The Rivarossi USA 0-6-0 is the only HO model I bought brand new - I just fancied a very smooth running shunter.

[@dutchbeef8920]

@@richardhiggins6471 I like the OO plank wagons, in fact I’ve recently got some for a little Jouef shunter I have which has OO style couplings

[@alfredbarten4901]

Really glad to see OO trains running on 9 inch radius. Thanks.

[@Galacticmaster]

really nice layout. thankgod there are still good people willing to defy all the proto-typical hobby enthuiasts on the model rail forums.

[@richardhiggins6471]

Thanks. Progress is very slow with the scenery and buildings (all cheap/secondhand or scratchbuilt) but I'm hoping to post another video soon.

[@alwynhodges5371]

Thank you I found your video very helpful as I am thinking about getting a new railway 😀🚂

[@jackiehankin3859]

Thanks nice little loco and layout is great too

[@johncourtneidge]

Very nice thank-you!

[@elleryparsons5766]

Nice Not too Shabby Still like the Track plan.

[@railway187]

Impressive. And a very good idea, it might be an alternative for a shelf layout. A landscaped version would be interesting.

[@richardhiggins6471]

I started work on scenery some time ago, but still haven't got around to finishing it. YOuc an see progress at: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3OmoX6FmLyofs0

[@richardkerry1788]

Wow! I've had to make sure a minimum of 12"....... I model in n gauge!

[@Richardsrailway]

Good idea !

[@northwesttrainsmodels]

nice layout

[@Foxxnioxx]

Good stuff!

[@Rich-yj4ub]

Very nice layout!👍 Would it be possible to run O gauge trains 10 inches long around an "Oval" track using a 27" curve radious? The straights would be 11ft long on both sides of course then going around a 27 inch radious turn. I'm not certain of the outer diameter of a 27" turn would be though. Thanks for any input. Take care.

[@richardhiggins6471]

I've no experience of O gauge, so you can take my reply with a pinch of salt, but I imagine an 0-4-0 loco would be fine, along with short wheelbase wagons. I expect the old Lima O Gauge Class 33 and Fowler 4F would manage with no problems - 27" radius in O gauge is roughly equivalent to 15" (roughly Hornby 1st radius) in OO.

[@gordonkidson-petlem2081]

Thanks Richard. I'm looking at building a modular layout, and was wondering about the possibility of a turning board for end to end configuration. Not sure how the wiring would work, but at least the mechanics seem relatively straight forward now. Its a branch, so mainly 040 or 060, so I guess your 8" radius means I can turn in 600mm width!

[@richardhiggins6471]

Just two things to be aware of: 1) any 0-6-0 locos will have to be very short wheelbase, and 2) use older wider couplings if possible.

[@gordonkidson-petlem2081]

@@richardhiggins6471 Thanks. I'm going to buy some flexi, and have a go. If I have to move to only 040, I can, as I currently only have two locos, both vintage 1980's! One thing that has come up elsewhere is the possibility of running either a single hook, or longer hooks in the couplings. Sam's Railway have a video which shows a lone smokey joe able to negotiate a 100mm ish curve, albeit slowly! I don't think I'll go that small...

[@richardhiggins6471]

@@gordonkidson-petlem2081 Smokey Joe can get around ridiculously tight curves, but the body is much longer than the wheelbase, so the coupling loops are way off the centreline of the track. As a result the coupling hooks will derail any wagons coupled up to them. The latest Peckett 0-4-0 and the old (ex-Dapol) L&Y pug are better as their bodies are much shorter. I run most of my wagons with one coupling hook removed for this reason. The best wagons for running are actually longer wheelbase bogie wagons (like bogie bolster wagons) since the coupling pivots sharply with the bogies.

[@JohnPW22]

Gret job with the curves - wondering what other locos would work as I have some tight corners on my planned layout. Thanks.

[@richardhiggins6471]

Hi, every 0-4-0 loco I've tried works fine, and I've also used the Bachmann class 08 shunter with no problems (apart from fitting a wider Hornby style coupling into the NEM pocket, as well as the bachmann Toby the Tram engine. I also run some continental Roco and Fleischmann locos, and their chunky German 0-6-0 shunters work fine. I think that older Tri-ang/Hornby 0-6-0s would work (the ones with no flanges on the centre wheels) but modern longer wheelbase 0-6-0s are likely to struggle.

[@dh9033]

Are the turnouts electrofrog please? It all looks very good, thanks for sharing.

[@richardhiggins6471]

There are four electrofrogs (Peco streamline) and three insulfrogs (from the setrack range). I could have used all electrofrogs but as these are longer and gentler radius the loops and sidings would have been shorter.

[@redvalley9]

Thanks however I’m new to this so not sure what you mean by 9inch radius. I’m familiar with 1st 2nd 3rd radius.

[@richardhiggins6471]

Hi Bob, "1st radius" are approximately 14" radius, and 2nd are about 18" radius. My 9 inch radius curves were made using flexible track which is made by Peco and Hornby, among others. You cannot buy ready made curves with such a tight radius. You have to bend the flexible track carefully to shape and then have to cut it to the correct length (the inner rail always needs cutting more than the outer rail on a curve). Some people buy a special cutting device (e.g. Xuron track cutter) but I tend to just use a hacksaw + filing the edges to make it easier to attach rail-joiners (also known as fishplates - Peco and Hornby make these too). Hope this helps.

[@richardhiggins6471]

And just to add "9 inch radius" means that a complete circle of track would be, in theory, only 18 inches across, but in reality the outer edges of the sleepers would be nearer to 20".

[@redvalley9]

@@richardhiggins6471 thanks Richard. I’m looking to have an inner and outer line within 30 inches of board.

[@richardhiggins6471]

@@redvalley9 First radius curves will just about fit into a 30" radius board, but be aware that locos and rolling stock will be close to the edge and if you have a derailment it might lead to a fall from a great height! Quite a few larger steam locos, and some modern diesel models, won't run on first radius, and others are likely to slow down a bit unless you use a "feedback" controller. If you want an inner loop you will have to make your own from flexitrack like I have done. Only shorter locos (such as 0-4-0, short wheelbase 0-6-0 locos and a few Bo_Bo diesels can cope with something like a 10-11" radius curve.

[@pauljohnson8341]

Seen on smaller 4 x1

[@redvalley9]

What radius curves are you using each end?

[@richardhiggins6471]

I think they are roughly 9" radius (give or take an inch), though I have managed a slight transition curve at each end.

[@jackiehankin3859]

Great what is the loco with single coach

[@richardhiggins6471]

A Rivarossi S100 USA 0-6-0 tank engine (or switcher in US parlance). It's HO scale (1:87) rather than 00 (1:76) but is quite chunky so looks at home with much smaller UK designed locos.

[@Bill-pv8ck]

hi there! is there any chance you could direct me to obtaining this sized curve radius, I have enough room for aa layout the exact same size and a shunting layout isn't my cup of tea. thanks very much however for showing me about these curves

[@richardhiggins6471]

I made mine from Peco flexible track curved and cut to the required shape. I don't think you can buy any curves as tight as this off the shelf.

[@Bill-pv8ck]

Richard Higgins how did you get the track to turn so tightly. I can't seem to get mine to fit

[@richardhiggins6471]

Very slowly and carefully! If you rush it you will get a kink in it. A better option is to use "bullhead" rail (code 100) which doesn't have such a thick base to it - it bends more easily than the flat bottomed rail that most manufacturers make. You can buy the rail separately from some manufacturers in the UK (maybe elsewhere too), and thread it into the sleepers of standard flexible track.

[@kineticrail]

How do you operate your point's?

[@richardhiggins6471]

100% mechanically - I use stiff metal rods under the baseboard. A bit like the wire in tube method except that because they are stiff they don't need the tube to keep them rigid. I think they are welding rods originally. I bend them upwards through a hole in the baseboard and the end passes through the hole in the point tiebar.

[@gordonkidson-petlem2081]

@@richardhiggins6471 Genius! Think I'll be having a go at that!

[@jamescarryl9690]

I personally don't care for tail chasing trains. I like trains that are point to point with a loop or a eye at each end.