Good day all!
Might I inquire as to where one could find the minimum radius requirements for Bachmann locos, specifically their steamers? The website provides minimum information on their products but seldom mentions track radius requirements. Perhaps this oversight could be checked into and corrected? Thanks much! For the time being, I am asking specifically about the 3751 class 4-8-4s and what the heck, the GS4s as well.
Thank you in advance.
The adveritzed may be 18 inch radius, but I would recommend nothing smaller than 22. Broader is better.
Gene
Good Morning,
My experience shows that whatever the manufacturer claims as the minimum radius, add two inches. So...22in recommended, make it 24 in radius to be safe.
Quote from: SteamGene on May 15, 2008, 09:44:43 AM
The adveritzed may be 18 inch radius, but I would recommend nothing smaller than 22. Broader is better.
Gene
My 2-8-0 Spectrum has no problem with 18" radius. And I would recommend nothing smaller. Getting down to a 15" radius means you will be running small switchers only ( 0-4-0 or 0-6-0 ) and rolling stock of 40' or shorter. I think that at 18" you can pretty much run anything short of articulated steamers and 80' passenger cars.
22" is a nice curve. Not too big not small. The longest wheelbase loco's will work on it. If you use 18" you will have a tough time with a 4-8-2, 2-10-2, 2-8-4 [ask me i am suffering right now]. They do a terrible job going round the turn and if you are a stickler for looks, forget it.
Remember that the ability of a steam locomotive to negotiate a tight radius depends on may things, one of which is the builder. I have a PFM Crown C&O K-3 which may not be able to negotiate my 30" radii.
The other thing is - okay, it will negotiate an 18" radius curve. What does it look like and what must you clear out of the way to allow clearance?
Gene
The smaller Bachmann power (2-8-0, 2-10-0, 4-6-0, 4-4-0) will handle 18" curves OK. The bigger power, while it might technically negotiate 18" curves, doesn't like it a whole lot, and you are much better off with 22".
The 2-8-2 Mikado isn't much bigger than my connies, but looks terrible on 18". The distance from the rear driver to the cab end is over 2", so the cab swings way wide on tight curves.
I have a 4-6-6-4 Athern Challenger and a 2-6-6-2 from Rivarossi that run very well on 18" curves and look good too . The secret is the articulation of the drivers.
Don
I have the little Mantua 2-6-6-2 articulated and that works well on 18". It's very small so it looks fine. I cannot afford the Bigboy or the Challenger ;D. Not in this life atleast.
I guess it's personal but no articulated looks good going around 18" radius curves. In fact, nothing much over a 2-8-0 looks good going around 18" curves.
My minimum visible curve is 28" and my bigger power, 4-8-2s and 2-10-2s look "odd" going around even that radius Even the 2-8-2s don't look too pretty. Fortunately (Or unfortunately) nothing larger than a 2-8-0 or 4-6-2 hauls trains around the visible 28" curves of the "Berger Sub". The larger power is banned west of Granville Junction on the Berger Sub, "Account curvature and light bridges".
Here on the Atlantic Central curves are 36" radius minimum. And even at that we simply do not have any locos with a rigid wheel base of more than 20 scale feet.
That means no 2-10-2's, 2-10-4's, no 4-8-4's with 80"+ drivers like GS4"s, no PRR T-1's, etc.
We do have lots of articulated locos, 2-8-8-2's, 2-6-6-2's, 2-6-6-6's, 2-6-6-4's - but even at that, none of those are Big boy's or Challenger's with their large drivers and corespondingly longer wheel bases.
We avoid 80' passenger cars for appearance reasons as well.
I understand that not everyone has this kind of space, but the fact is that even 36" radius curves are well below most prototype curves, especially for a large Class I line like I model.
Sheldon
The Mantua 2-6-6-2 is a model of a narrow gauge logging locomotive. It is small and designed to navigate tight radii.
Gene
Quote from: SteamGene on May 16, 2008, 06:07:25 PM
The Mantua 2-6-6-2 is a model of a narrow gauge logging locomotive. It is small and designed to navigate tight radii.
Gene
You're correct in that Gene.
I have one of the 2-6-6-2T versions......no troubles at all on 18" and no overhang.
Sid
I have an 8x4 HO Layout,triple track. Main curves are 18",but on the third inside track which is really for switching the radius is less than this .On the mainline curves I have used some Peco long curved points,which most locos sail through.But a 4-6-0 Model Power Casey Jones would not tolerate them,off came the front bogey nearly every time. A mate at our Train Club said he has one and they won't negotiate Peco Curved Points. Sold this loco with warnings to the buyer.He brought it to the club and with the large curves never went better,but no enjoyment for me at home.
Now here is a report on the various steamers I have . Spectrum 0-6-0 Tender Loco,hardly ever derails used sensibly. Spectrun 0-6-0 Saddle Tank great. Bachmann 4-4-0 Jupiter,very good. Spectrum 4-6-0 American new,derails sometimes on parts of my less than perfect lines,front bogey very light. 0-8-0 Japan "New Model"(1960's),flanges only on front and back drivers,hates all curves,goes great on the straights,does not derail. Rivarossi Mikado 2-8-2 (1970's),just bought it,goes everywhere ,even on the torture curve into the 3rd tracl inside,but does a little struggle,which was only a test,not a regular movement and not expected.
German outline - Roco Mikado 2-8-2 Tank goes anywhere,chassis is swivelled. Fleischmann 0-4-0 Tank the same.. Others I have since sold,were IHC Pacific and Mikado,both good on 18" curves. Hope this adds to your list of test Locomotives on the Forum :)
Since my 4-8-4 FEF came packed with 22" Radius track I would assume that is the Minimum for that type of Engine anything larger would require a larger radius . I would also assume that a #5 turnout would also be the minimum , and would probably prefer a #6 for crossover use.
Quote from: Jhanecker2 on May 30, 2008, 09:34:17 AM
Since my 4-8-4 FEF came packed with 22" Radius track I would assume that is the Minimum for that type of Engine anything larger would require a larger radius . I would also assume that a #5 turnout would also be the minimum , and would probably prefer a #6 for crossover use.
Who is the manufacturer of the 4-8-4? Did not realize that this engine was being offered in a set.
I've got a section of track on my layout with a 15" radius. My Spectrum 0-6-0T handles it well, but my 3-truck Shay derails. I think a 18" radius would be suitable for the Shay. My Rivarossi 2-truck Heisler handles it like a champ, though. The rest of my layout has 24" radius curves, so I can run pretty much whatever I want, though my biggest locomotive at the moment is a Spectrum Light Mountain.
I think The Mantua 2-6-6-2 (tender model) is a model of a Sierra Railway # 38.
To Pacific Northern : The Manufacturer is Bachmann . The Set is Overland Limited , Product Code : 00614 , Road Name : Union Pacific , Price :$250.00
I hope that information Helps . I had to look up what type of 4-8-4 it was in some of my train books as I don't remember that was specified in the literature . Please note this is a DC Set. Currently this is my largest steam engine and I admit will influence my track layout if I ever get a design finalized. It came with freight cars , but I have puchased a heavy-weight set of Bachmann UP passenger cars.
Quote from: EL PARRo on May 31, 2008, 01:43:31 AM
I've got a section of track on my layout with a 15" radius. My Spectrum 0-6-0T handles it well, but my 3-truck Shay derails. I think a 18" radius would be suitable for the Shay. My Rivarossi 2-truck Heisler handles it like a champ, though. The rest of my layout has 24" radius curves, so I can run pretty much whatever I want, though my biggest locomotive at the moment is a Spectrum Light Mountain.
You have the same locos as me, except my 0-6-0T is an MDC. My shay handles an 18-inch radius, but if I were making a new layout, I'd use 22-inch.
Remember that builder X's loco type A may handle a certain minimum radius while builder Y's version of loco type A may not.
A Rivarossi C&O H-8 will work on 18" radius curves. But brass models with a stationary rear engine might very well not.
Gene
Usually a "blind" middle driver helps bigger steam locos go around on tight curves.