Pavement markings

[Bill Pontin]

Still working on my "N" scale modules and was about to add the road markings. Modeling the early 40's and I don't know what color to use for the center stripes - yellow or white. Was a little to young to drive back in the 40's but I think the center lines were all white and later, time unknown, the U.S. went to a yellow for road division. Surf'd every thing I could think of on the internet and searched some old magazines to no avail. Anyone know?

 

[Tyson Rayles]

Bill I think that will vary according to where you are modeling. That was before the interstate hwy. system and I believe it was left up to each state. As best as I can remember (early 50's) in Fla. and Ga. they were white. But that WAS A VERY LONG time ago.

 

[Matthyro]

Here in Canada all markings were white and only changed to yellow in the sixties as I remember, so for 40s I would go white.

 

[Bill Pontin]

Tyson and Robin, appreciate the response. Will go with the white, pretty sure that the U.S. went to the yellow in the early 60's. Took a pole with family members and they were trying to tell me they were always yellow. "Ya sure youngin - in your lifetime maybe." Another plus on the white is that the gel markers I plan on using come out darker with the white. Tried several yellows and they are too pastel and faded looking.

 

[Tyson Rayles]

Hey, you would be faded looking to if you had a zillion vechicles driving over your butt all day long!!!!

 

[jland31]

While we're talking about roads:
In N Scale, How wide in inches are;\
County roads,
Two lane highways, State & Fed,
City two lane &
Four lane State & Interstate?

Anybody know? Reference?

 

[billk]

Dunno exactly, but I would suggest that you use whatever looks right to you. Reason being is that if you scaled it from the prototype it might be too wide to fit.

 

[60103]

I have it in my mind that a 2 lane road is 33 feet wide, over shoulders. This is just under 2.5" in N scale.
I think if we measure it, a highway lane is about twice the width of an average car. This looks too wide on a model; I would cut it down to 1 1/2 times, but wider than a big truck.
I'll see tonight if the NMRA data sheets say anything.

 

[60103]

Road widths

NMRA data sheet D2g @April 1957
Defines the roads by Daily Traffic.
>20000 2x24' pavements + 10' shoulders. minimum ROW 200'
4000-20000 2x24' pavements + 10' shoulders. minimum ROW 125'
750-4000 2x11' or 12' pavements + 8'-12' shoulders. minimum ROW 100'
300-750 2x11' or 12' pavements + 6'-8' shoulders. minimum ROW 100'
<300 2x24' pavements + 6'-8' shoulders. minimum ROW 100'
Lowest: 20' minimum (2 lanes) + 4'-8' shoulders. minimum ROW 66'
or 10'-14' one lane

Maximum grade ranges from 3% to 7%.
First 2 are superhighways; last 2 may be city streets, rural roads.
ROW is Right of Way width.
Hope this makes sense.