-=> Quoting Gregory Procter to All <=-
 GP> I was watching a US video on modern traction showing new
 GP> trackwork and long trains etc. (No steam in sight :-( 
 GP> The curves were commented on as being 10 degrees, 6
 GP> degrees etc. As the curves in question definitely made a
 GP> greater angle than the quoted figures, being more like
 GP> 90 degrees and 135 degrees of turn, I guess that this is
 GP> a local nonclaimiture for a particular radius? My guess
 GP> is that it relates to an angle of turn over a given
 GP> length. If so how long is your piece of string?
 GP> Otherwise, how do those of us who are not in the know to
 GP> recalculate these numbers to units we can understand?
        Measuring curves in degrees is standard practice
on North American railways.  It is confusing even to North
American railfans, and discussions of the system take place
every so often on the Internet rail-related lists
explaining how it works.
        As I recall, you have the right idea, but I don't
recall how long the string is.  And the more technical
discussions get into where you measure from--which rail,
which face of the rail, the center line, or what.
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