I am working on a new layout plan. I remember from the old days that the 85' passenger cars required a large radius. I looked in the catalog and it didn't say what to use. Any advise?
Your answer depends on the builder of the 85' car. Walther's will require AT LEAST 22" - probably more. Con-Cor and Rivarossi may well get away with 18". However, they will have an enormous amount of overhang even at 30", especially the Walthers.
Gene
I have some spectrum cars now running on a 22" radius track that are the old style couplers and they have a tendency to unhook on the corners. Are the new scale couplers better on that issue?
I THINK what you have are the original Bachmann knuclke couplers with the whisker spring. They can "tire" very easily. You need to replace them with Kadee #5's or 148s. I forgot about Bachmann - they should handle 18 - but again you have the overhang issue.
Gene
Check out the passenger cars being produced by Rapido. If necessary these cars can run on 18" curves although they look far better on larger curves.
Note that Rapido is also coming out with another set of passenger cars soon, the Pullman-Standard's lightweight Osgood-Bradley coaches
i used to use mine on 22 inch but im building a layout with 30inch
Hi, Just to throw some factual numbers around. The numbers are for a 22" radius.
A Bachmann heavy weight PRR
car length 10 3/4" wheel base 7 3/8" center to center hangs out even to the ez track roadbed
A IHC heavy weight C&O
car length 11 1/8" wheel base 8" center to center hangs out 1/16" over the ez track roadbed
An Acela Amfleet
car length 11 1/2" wheel base 8 3/16" center to center hangs out 1/8" over the ez track roadbed
Hope this was helpful.
Have Fun
Due to space limitations, I've been "locked" into 18 radius for years. Rivarossi, IHC, Con-Cor, and Rapido cars,all scale 85 ft ,handle these well. Yes, there is overhang, but I guess I've learned to live with it. OTH, if you can utilize 22 radius or larger, that's the way to go.
Quite frankly, I'm appalled at the large cars being promoted. Most of the buyers are likely young without the space for a layout suitable for the car. If truth were known, my largest locomotive should be a 2-8-2, and I have 30" diameter curves.
Gene
I have several old ambroid passenger cars, B&M 60 footers, and they look terrible on my 22" radius curves
i also want passenger cars .will have an 18" and a 22" rad .but all i see is the long cars. can someone also help me with a loco issue . what loco would you recommend elec or diesel for pulling a load up a grade .i have the bachmann dcc and have exspanded .to a large 4x8 ft layout . my outter 22" rad will have a elevated section . thanks
regards mark f
and by the way i'm a newbie with confidence lol not experience .but doing a great job . my track shipped will get it thursday . my old lady is doing a great job on the senery . not long MF LINES & CHEEZY SYSTEMS .will be up and running
hey thanks yampa bob i will look into what you described .again thanks for your help . i found some 60' ers in a 4 pack at a shop in houston .the guy had a good selection . once i get the rest of my layout and elevated "trial" then i will go from there .cause i know im going to change up more of my layout until i get content with the way my layout and line will run .will its 12:10 am and got to get to work . i run the knight shift where i work . regards: mark f
I'd prefer 72' passenger cars on my 22" curves, instead of 85' cars, but the only ones I've found are Athearn with truck-mounted knuckle (without springs) couplers. Walthers' catalog usually says that their passenger cars are recommended for 24" or wider curves.
IHC makes or made 72 footers.
Gene
The older Athearn passenger cars also have talgo mounted couplers which are very easily replaced with kadees. These will operate on 18" radius curves. They can be found on ebay quite frequently at reasonable prices.
Ben
Montgomery, Alabama
Gene,
I don't recall IHC ever making 72' passeger cars. Their cars are knock offs of the old Rivarossi cars which are all full scale lengths.
To all:
Athearn cars, both heavyweight and streamlined, kit and Ready to Roll, are all available and in current production. Remember, "discontinued" is Athearn speak for out of stock until the next batch is run. The Athearn cars are 72' (the RPO is 67') and run well on sharp to meduim curves. And their selectively compressed size makes them look really good on larger curves.
Con Cor also makes a nice line of 72' smooth side streamliners in a vast list of roadnames.
Currently out of production are the MDC Harriman cars which are only 60', also great for small layouts. They can still be found on e-bay and at train shows.
ALSO - prototype passenger cars where not/are not all 85' long. Sure most modern streamlined cars built after 1938 or so where/are, but many heavyweights where various lengths from 60' to 85'. Yes, Pullman sleepers, diners, observations, lounges, etc, where generally 85'. But many coaches, combines, baggage, RPO's, Parlors, etc where shorter than 85'.
In the case of the Athearn heavyweights, only the Pullman and the diner are without similar lenght prototypes.
And, while somewhat plan right out of the box, the Atearn cars are easy to detail for a very effective look.
I have 36" radius curves and above and still prefer Athearn and Con Cor 72' cars for their better appearance. I would suggest to anyone, unless you are really set on exact scale accuracy, or you have 48" curves, you consider selectively compressed passenger cars like those from Athearn and Con Cor. They make your layout look BIGGER!
Sheldon
Walthers is releasing quite a bit of HO scale passenger cars, but I like Spectrum better... More detail then Walthers' standard.
My friend, 9911A E5, has a Spectrum ATSF heavyweight parlor car that is very detailed. Although the lighting system is damaged, he likes it.
His heavyweight runs find on 18" radius, and (I think) it's an 85 footer... You'd have to ask him.
Although, I would go with Sheldon's advice on the radius turns. As for me, I'm running a straight 18" radius. So I'm not going anywhere near 85'.
Josh
Sheldon,
Thanks for the information. I'd seen only 72' Athearns with truck-mounted couplers.
Walthers is releasing a 72' smooth baggage car next month (GN & UP, among others). They don't say when they might have coaches, diners & others. The price is $50. with lights costing extra. Walters often has sales, though.
Sheldon, My brain said Con-Cor and my fingers typed IHC. Such is life.
Gene
Gene,
I've been known to do that too, and I'm younger than you. Somehow I knew it was that sort of thing.
Sheldon