Atlas HO Code 83 1/2 15" Radius Curved Track – 4-Pack – ATL531

Atlas HO Code 83 1/2 15" Radius Curved Track – 4-Pack – ATL531 includes four short curved sectional-track pieces designed for making precise adjustments to 15" radius HO scale trackwork. Each piece maintains a true 15" radius while providing only half the curvature of a standard Atlas 15" radius section.

1/2 15" Radius does not mean a 7.5" radius curve. The "1/2" refers to the fractional length and angular geometry of the track section. ATL531 follows the same 15" radius as standard Atlas 15" radius curved track, making it useful when a full curved section changes direction farther than the track plan requires.

1/2 15" Radius Track Geometry

A standard Atlas 15" radius curved track section represents 30° of curvature, with 12 standard sections forming a complete 360° circle. Because ATL531 is a half section, each piece provides 15° of curvature while maintaining the same 15" radius.

• Radius: 15"
• Section size: 1/2 of a standard 15" radius section
• Curve per section: 15°
• Sections per package: 4
• Total curvature per package: 60°
• Two half sections: Equal one standard 30° 15" radius section

Why Use a 1/2 15" Radius Section?

Fractional curved track gives modelers more control over sectional-track geometry. When a standard 30° curved section turns the track too far, ATL531 provides a smaller 15° adjustment without changing the radius of the curve.

These half sections are especially useful for:

• Fine-tuning compact curves
• Connections around turnouts and switches
• Passing siding approaches
• Yard and industrial trackwork
• Station approaches
• Connecting complex sectional-track arrangements
• Published Atlas track plans
• Correcting small angular differences without cutting track

Same 15" Radius – Half the Curve

ATL531 follows exactly the same 15" radius as a standard Atlas 15" radius curved section. The difference is simply how far each piece travels around that curve.

A standard section changes the track direction by 30°, while each ATL531 section changes it by only 15°. Connecting two ATL531 sections together therefore produces the same 30° curvature as one standard 15" radius section.

Not a 7.5" Radius Curve

The fractional designation can easily be misunderstood. The "1/2" does not divide the 15" radius in half. Locomotives and rolling stock still travel through a true 15" radius curve.

The 1/2 designation refers only to the section's angular length, allowing the same radius to be constructed in smaller increments.

Useful for Compact HO Track Plans

A 15" radius is relatively tight for HO scale and can be useful when building compact layouts where available space is limited. The shorter ATL531 sections provide additional flexibility within that compact geometry by allowing the track direction to be adjusted in smaller increments.

Because minimum-radius requirements vary significantly between locomotives and rolling stock, always check the equipment manufacturer's recommended minimum radius before designing a layout around 15" radius curves.

Atlas HO Code 83 1/2 15" Radius Track Features

• HO Scale 1:87
• 15" radius curved sectional track
• 1/2-length curved sections
• 15° of curvature per section
• 4 pieces per package
• 60° total curvature per package
• Two sections equal one standard 15" radius curved section
• Maintains a true 15" radius
• Ideal for precise sectional-track geometry adjustments
• Useful around turnouts, sidings and compact track arrangements
• Nickel silver rail
• Prototypically fine brown ties
• Part of the Atlas HO Code 83 track system
• Atlas manufacturer item number M0531
• Fusion Scale Hobbies SKU ATL531

Combine with Standard 15" Radius Curved Track

ATL531 works especially well alongside standard Atlas 15" radius curved track. Standard sections can form the majority of a curve, while these shorter half sections provide the smaller angular adjustments needed to align the track with turnouts, straight track, sidings or other fixed components.

Shop Atlas HO Code 83 Curved Track

Browse our Atlas HO Code 83 Curved Track collection for standard and fractional curved sections for building precise HO scale track arrangements.

Build with Atlas HO Code 83 Track

Shop our complete Atlas HO Code 83 Track collection for curved track, straight track, flex track, turnouts, crossings and additional layout-building components.

Explore Atlas HO Code 83 Straight Track, Atlas HO Code 83 Flex Track, Atlas HO Code 83 Turnouts & Switches and Atlas HO Code 83 Crossings.

HO Scale Track

Browse our complete Atlas HO Scale Track selection or explore HO Scale Track and Model Railroad Track for additional track systems and manufacturers.

Shop additional products from Atlas Model Railroad and browse Atlas In-Stock Products.