Is there any kind of multi-tack standard for trains?

[Madcat2000]

What I mean is there a standard distance the tracks should be apart. The reason for this is I hope to start work on a minifig scale model of various railway guns, first the Krupp K-5, then Dora and Gustav, then I hope to make the first train SHIP modeled after

. I can start work on the first in LDD at the moment but the others will not be started until a few more train related things are released(I have a feeling Emerald Night isn't the only thing going to be released this year) or atleast until I get the new power functions train motors and such. I know little about trains as the only train sets I ever had were the BNSF locomotive and the 03 cargo train.

[WesternOutlaw]

What I mean is there a standard distance the tracks should be apart.

If you mean the distance between track:

A single piece of track is 16 studs long x 8 studs wide. The space between the raised track is 4 studs, meaning the track is actually one stud away from the end of the railroad ties.

Ties are 2 x 8.

You can check out Peeron which shows a picture.

[Madcat2000]

I mean two sets of tracks side by side so two trains can run paralel two each other. Sorry for the confusion.

[Eilif]

I mean two sets of tracks side by side so two trains can run paralel two each other. Sorry for the confusion.

It all depends on the size of trains you are running, if you are running 6 wide trains, you generally need to 8 studs of clearance for your track. 8 wide will require 10 studs, etc, etc. The real doozie comes on curves where you need significantly more clearance.

Here's the Standards that we use for NILTC. They probably allow for a bit more clearance than you need, but it may give you a starting point to work from. All the best with the project. It should be quite impressive.

Edited April 11, 2009 by Eilif

[Madcat2000]

The problem is the corners as if you look at a picture of Dora and Gustav it is actually two trains side by side connected and it would be hard to figure out how to make it turn corners.

[Captain Green Hair]

The problem is the corners as if you look at a picture of Dora and Gustav it is actually two trains side by side connected and it would be hard to figure out how to make it turn corners.

Track was adjusted for them here and there, i think they often were transported on a single track especially in corners.

I'd say build the models, then make the track to transport 'm fit.

They are cool models to make, good luck!

[Rijkvv]

The Dora and Gustav were transported with special trains, the detachment assembled them at the place of use.

[Freddie]

The standard distance between two tracks is eight studs - meaning there's room for one track between two tracks. This standard is set by the switches that LEGO produces, and also fits when making parallel loops, in that the two tracks will always be eight studs apart before and after corners. The problem is that all corners have the same radius, regardless if its the inner or outer curve. But that's only if you want it to go through corners assembled as a ship.

This year's new flex-tracks will solve the corner problem though. But then you'll have to stick to on-board power supply for getting it moving through the corners. That, or giving it a "transport-mode" where it splits up and forms a train. Not sure if this is what you want, though.

[Madcat2000]

I think the way to make Dora and Gustav work is by making the wheel able to stretch out to the side when going around corners.