Standard MRR Track center spacing?

[Lemosteam]

Collective  , I am Trying to design some parts that are track center-dependent.  What are the typical track or recommended centers these days for multi-track mainline running?

Atlas Code 55:
Atlas Code 80:
Kato Unitrak:
Peco C55:
Micro Engineering:
Ntrak standard:

[Philip H]

Can't speak to the NTrak or Kato specs, but generally 1.25 to 1.5 inches is a good minimum spacing.

[C855B]

NTrak is 1.5". Atlas Code 55 is 1.25". Kato Unitrack is 1.375".

[glakedylan]

Atlas uses a 1.25" center to center
(defined by both their sectional curves and construct a crossover with any of their turnouts, #'s 5, 7, 10)
this would seem to be the same for their code 80 track

Kato Unitrack uses a 1-3/8" center to center
(defined by their curved sections, single and double track pieces)
using #6 turnouts as crossover 1.953125"
using #4 turnouts as crossover 1.296875"
using their new single crossover 1.296875"
using their double crossover 1.296875"
using the R 28-17/64 with a #6 turnout to reverse the frog angle and create a parallel track 1.953125"
(various 15 degree curves can be used with a #4 turnout to reverse the frog angle, each providing a different center to center parallel track spacing due to their radius)

Peco (with no sectional track other than turnouts)
using the shorter turnouts in a crossover yields a 1.046875" spacing
using the longer turnouts in a crossover yields a 1-1/16" spacing
using their double crossover yields a 1-3/64" spacing

Micro Engineering (with no sectional track other than turnouts)
using their #6 turnouts in a single crossover provides a 1.421875" spacing

I hope this is helpful

sincerely
Gary

[Lemosteam]

Very helpful from all and roundabout what I expected.

Second attempt at PRR Catenary K bracing.  It is important because there was a vertical member in the K at the center of each track which forces me to make three each for two track main and four track main respectively.

[bdennis]

The track spacing for Atlas Code 55 #5's is different to Atlas Code 55 #7's.. The #7 is slightly wider I find.

The #5 works out to be 28mm (left rail to left rail) and the #7 is 32mm (Left rail to left rail) on the straight sections of track if 2 turnouts are facing frog to frog.

[C855B]

Atlas Code 80 appears to be 1.375" based on crossover tests in AnyRail.

[Lemosteam]

The track spacing for Atlas Code 55 #5's is different to Atlas Code 55 #7's.. The #7 is slightly wider I find.

The #5 works out to be 28mm (left rail to left rail) and the #7 is 32mm (Left rail to left rail) on the straight sections of track if 2 turnouts are facing frog to frog.

Now this would depend on the radius of track you put on the diverging route, correct?

Remember this is for mainline, not sidings or yards.  A crossover would be straight between turnouts.

For instance I was able to acieve PRR mainline at 13' (0.975" in N Scale) just trimming the #10 diverging stub back.

[Lemosteam]

Atlas Code 80 appears to be 1.375" based on crossover tests in AnyRail.

Excellent!

[Chris333]

I use 13 feet because the Erie did.

[Lemosteam]

I use 13 feet because the Erie did.

Bingo, PRR did too.

But if KD comes out with a PRR cat ploe kit, I want to accommodate multiple track centers.

Right now I am planning on poles at various widths to do that.  That is why the track centers are so important.

[bdennis]

Now this would depend on the radius of track you put on the diverging route, correct?

Remember this is for mainline, not sidings or yards.  A crossover would be straight between turnouts.

For instance I was able to acieve PRR mainline at 13' (0.975" in N Scale) just trimming the #10 diverging stub back.

John,
I agree that the spacing can be what ever is needed for a yard ladder, however, when I put 2 turnouts face to face or Frog to frog, then the spacing is per above (or so I thought).
I just did a test in anyrail and the spacing does look to be the same between the #5 and the #7... Hmm.
I dont have 2 #7's on hand to test.... Hmmm.
On my last layout I always set the #7 spacing (frog to frog) or #7 right and a #7 left (with the frog of the Right connected to the point end of the #7) to be 32mm.
In the same config of the #5's I set them to 28mm...

[C855B]

FWIW, I do have #7s on hand, and measured reality at 1.25". I don't have any #5s, however. AnyRail, like you said, is the same 1.25" for 5s, 7s and 10s.

[Lemosteam]

@bdennis  Agree, spacing on unmodified track is what I am looking for.

Here is what I did on my number 10's on a mainline crossover to get to the 0.975" centers. Ill design specific K Braces just for my layout...

[nkalanaga]

John:  I did the same thing years ago with my ME #6s, and they worked beautifully.  My centers are one inch even, so close enough to yours.