Joe, 11.25" is pretty sharp - toy train territory. There was a design decision along the way, "do we want a toy, or a model?" Sharp curves with an 8-driver steam locomotive would mean a serious, serious compromise in model fidelity to be able to negotiate the sharpest curves. The J is best on 15" minimum radius. While I feel for you with your disappointment, there has to be a little bit of expectation management on your end: you can't have it both ways - accurate model running on curve radii that are impossible "in nature".

Yes, you do need to research easements. Easements are how the real thing handles transitions from straight ("tangent") track to curves - the operative word being "transition". This can be approximated by using a section of larger radius - 19", for example - between the straight section and your smaller curve. It will significantly reduce the tendency for the J to climb the rails.

This is all the crux of my particular beef with Bachmann, the older DDA40X models - they compromised the model design to allow the tower-type drive mechanism to handle 9.75" curves. As a result, the model is nearly 2 scale feet (20%) too wide, which completely buggers the proportions. Model fidelity goes out the window, reducing them to toys. I'm gritting my teeth in hopes that the new version fixes this.

Quote from: Williamson on July 16, 2008, 10:23:28 AM
Same old overscale shell on the DDA40 or new tooling?

In all seriousness, I am afraid that I have to ask the same thing. I have two each from the two previous toolings, and the disproportions in proximity to other modern N scale locomotives are frustrating.

So, point blank: was the shell mold corrected for the upcoming release?

Quote from: the Bach-man on July 24, 2008, 01:17:07 AM
The loco has a new drive and updated tooling- it looks great!

I forgot to mention... I am sooooo there! Already have one of each road number on order.

Pardon my impertinence... however... the correct designation for the prototype of the Bachmann model is DDA40X, per the EMD catalog at time of delivery as well as the delivery documents. I have four of the previous Bachmann models - two first-run and two "Plus" - and being a bit of a rivet-counter and big UP fan the "DD40X" always sort of annoyed me.

Don't feel bad - even the Union Pacific has mislabeled the last operating Centennial in their "heritage" fleet as a "DD40X" on their website and - horror of horrors - "DD-40-X" on the locomotive itself.

Don't take my word for it, however. Search for "DD40X", "DD40AX" and "DDA40X" on the web and find out which is considered authoritative.