Tag Archives: G Scale

G Scale Track Geometry Series – #5 Thiel

Thiel is a highly regarded track manufacturer from Germany, known for its large variety of sectional track, switches and crossings. Thiel offers 11 different radii of curves.

Thiel Gleis Track Geometry Curve Radius Radii R2 R3 R5

Switches are offered for two curve radii (1175 and 3000 mm), and a switch is also offered at 2000 mm radius with no corresponding curved sections.

Radius (mm) Radius (ft)* Diameter (mm) Diameter (ft) Name Comment
765 mm 2.51 ft – – – curves
930 mm 3.05 ft – – – curves
1175 mm 3.85 ft – – – curves + switches
1350 mm 4.43 ft – – – curves
1525 mm 5.00 ft – – – curves
1750 mm 5.74 ft – – – curves
1925 mm 6.32 ft – – – curves
2000 mm 6.56 ft – – – switches only
2100 mm 6.89 ft – – – curves
2300 mm 7.55 ft – – – curves
2500 mm 8.20 ft – – – curves
3000 mm 9.84 ft – – – curves + switches

*converted from mm, rounded to two digits

Summary: Thiel offers many choices for curve radii to satisfy any space requirements. While there are less options for switches, the 1175 mm switch is a good alternative to LGB’s R3 switch, and the 3000 mm closely matches the largest option from USA Trains.

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G Scale Track Geometry Series – #4 USA Trains

Unlike other brands, USA Trains’ track program mentions curve radii in diameter (and in ft, as USA Trains is US based), so be careful when comparing USA Trains curves and switches to other brands solely on the name.

Radius (mm)* Radius (ft) Diameter (mm)* Diameter (ft) Name Comment
609,6 mm 2 ft 1219,2 mm 4 ft 4′ Diameter curves
762 mm 2.5 ft 1524 mm 5 ft 5′ Diameter curves
1219,2 mm 4 ft 2438,4 mm 8 ft 8′ Diameter curves + switches
1524 mm 5 ft 3048 mm 10 ft 10′ Diameter curves + switches
2438,4 mm 8 ft 4876,8 mm 16 ft 16′ Diameter curves
3048 mm 10 ft 6096 mm 20 ft 20′ Diameter curves + switches

*converted from mm, rounded to two digits

Summary: Plenty of choice, but when comparing to European brands, make sure to not mix up radius/diameter!

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G Scale Track Geometry Series – #3 Train Line 45

Train Line’s track program consists of 3 main curve radii.

Train Line 45 Track Geometry Curve Radius Radii R2 R3 R5

Switches are offered all three radii, although curves are only available the for smaller two.

Radius (mm) Radius (ft)* Diameter (mm) Diameter (ft)* Name Comment
900 mm 2.95 ft R2 curves + switches
1200 mm 3.94 ft R3 curves + switches
2100 mm 6.89 ft R5 switches only

*converted from mm, rounded to two digits

Summary: Train Line 45’s geometry is quite limited, yet Train Line’s ‘R3’ and ‘R5’ are quite close to the corresponding LGB radii, so there’s potential to mix and match between the brands.

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G Scale Track Geometry Series – #2 PIKO

The PIKO G-Track system offers 4 basic curve radii. The smallest curve ‘R1’ matches exactly with LGB R1. The larger radii each increase with a parallel spacing of 321,54 mm (nominally 320 mm) or 12.64 inches.

PIKO G Scale Track Geometry Curve Radius Radii R1 R3 R5 R7

These 4 radii are available in curved track sections, as well as switches.

Radius (mm) Radius (ft)* Diameter (mm) Diameter (ft) Name Comment
600 1.97 ft – G-R1 (600) curves + switches
921,54 3.02 ft – G-R3 (920) curves + switches
1.243,08 4.08 ft – G-R5 (1240) curves + switches
1.564,62 5.13 ft – G-R7 (1560) curves + switches

*converted from mm, rounded to two digits

While PIKO’s curve geometry is really easy to understand, the naming convention perhaps makes it confusing for those who are used to LGB’s track geometry. PIKO’s R5 is very close to LGB R3, while PIKO’s R7 has a smaller radius than LGB’s R5.

PIKO designed their track system with a 60 cm module length as the starting point. So there’s a straight track of 600 mm, and two shorter pieces of 320 cm and 280 cm which form the basis for many track layouts in combination with the 4 curve radii. In some cases, 160 mm or 140 mm tracks are required to make the geometry fit.

Link: PIKO G Track Flyer (PDF – EN – 13 MB)

Summary: The concept of PIKO’s track geometry is easy to understand, and the 4 offered radii will certainly fulfill the needs of many people.

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G Scale Track Geometry Series – #1 LGB

It makes sense to start the Track Geometry Series with LGB, as they are of course the pioneer for G scale. And LGB also invented – love it or hate it – the famous ‘R1’ curves.

LGB has four curve radii in their track program. Next to the smallest R1 curves, there is a slightly larger ‘R2’ radius that is intended to form a parallel track together with R1 to run two trains at once. However, this is only possible with shorter locomotives and rolling stock, as larger stock will hit each other due to inside and outside overhang.

When space is less of an issue, LGB offers ‘R3’, which already is more visually pleasing with larger rolling stock. For layouts where space it not an issue, LGB also offers ‘R5’.

LGB Track Geometry Curve Radius Radii R1 R2 R3 R5
Image Source: Large Scale Insider

For any other radius curve, LGB suggests the use of flex track. LGB also offers switches in the different radii, except R2.

LGB Curved Track Radius Overview:

Radius (mm) Radius (ft)* Diameter (mm) Diameter (ft)* Name Comment
600 mm 1.97 ft 1200 mm 3.94 ft R1 curves + switches
780 mm 2.56 ft 1560 mm 5.12 ft R2 curves only
1195 mm 3.92 ft 2390 mm 7.84 ft R3 curves + switches
2320 mm 7.61 ft 4640 mm 15.22 ft R5 curves + switches

*converted from mm, rounded to two digits

LGB offers a variety of straight tracks in different lengths, where the most popular lengths are 30 cm or 60 cm. Also offered are a range of shorter pieces to fill gaps. If you start combining different radii, and some special switches like LGB’s three-way switch or double-slip switch, you will definitely need of bunch of gap fillers. Then it’s probably better to go for flex track, or to cut 30 cm or 60 cm straights to the desired size.

Link: LGB Track Geometry (PDF – EN/DE – 1 MB)

Summary: while LGB’s R1 and R3 are well known radii in the G scale universe, LGB’s track geometry is definitely not the most intuitive.

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