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How to Determine the Radius of an LGB Track

LGB is a brand of G-scale trains and equipment, the largest model railroad scale. G equipment is manufactured at 1:22.5 scale, which means 1 inch on a model represents 22.5 inches on the actual equipment.

Building a train layout requires straight and curved pieces of track. Modelers used to smaller scales (for example, HO, N or S) describe curved track by the radius of the circle it forms, while G-scale hobbyists use the curve's diameter. If a length of LGB curved track is not marked with its diameter, its radius can be determined with simple arithmetic.

Things You'll Need

Tape measure
Calculator (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Place the curved track section against a wall or other straight surface, forming a D shape. Measure the distance between the ends of the inside rail. This measurement is L, the length. For example, L = 60 inches.
- 2
  Locate the midpoint of the length L, in this case 30 inches from either end. Measure the distance from this point to the inside rail at a right angle to the wall. This measurement is H, the height. For example, H = 8 inches.
- 3
  Divide the length, L, by 2t4 and square the result. For our example, 60 / 2 = 30 and 30 squared = 900.
- 4
  Divide the previous answer by H and add H to the result. For our example, 900 / 8 = 112.5 and 112.5 + 8 = 120.5.
- 5
  Divide the answer by 2. The quotient is the radius of the curve. For this example, the radius = 120.5 / 2 or 60.25. The radius of the curve is 60.25 inches.

Model Railroads