layout help

[rbryce1]

I put together a series of 3 S-curves using 22" track, and a single McKinley Explorer car maneuvered it fine, as long as there was just 1 car.  When I tried it with 2 cars, they flipped over every time.  If you insert 5" of straight track in the middle of the S-curve, it works.

I also tried a 22" continuous curve coming right out of the cross-over, and it was real tight, but the cars never hit each other and did not de-rail.  Again, as Jerry said, at very slow speeds.  I would not try it at more than an idle, but I would not ever try passing through a turnout at other than slow speeds.  The rest of the 22" circle you can run full speed without worries, I do it all the time.

I would from my physical test conclude that either layout shown (with and without the straight track section between the curve and the cross-over) will work with the McKinley Explorer cars, but not with a hard S-curve.

Go for it!