Which Bachmann locomotives easily handle the 15" radius? I plan a long L-shaped switching layout and I only have 32" for the loop. I assume the GE 70T and 40T are OK. But is there anything bigger among the F, GP, SD, etc that will still be at home on a 15"R? For rolling stock, I plan to stay in the 40' category and smaller. Are there any older passenger cars that would be OK on the 15"R?
Dear Wally,
The small switchers are clearly your best bet. Possibly you can use streetcars for your passengers.
Have fun!
the Bach-man
Thanks for the streetcar suggestion. But what, if anything, is in the "small switcher" category besides the 44T, 70T, Plymouth and the 0-4-0? Would the SW, NW, RSD diesels in other lines be OK?
Well, if it's logging/mining, a shay.
Other than that, yeah, small switchers.
switchers are designed to handle small radii turns, after all.
Gene
If you want more variety than just switchers, an Atlas AEM-7 can handle 15" radius. It's been discontinued, but if you serach online, you can still find unused AEM-7's in SEPTA and MARC paint (you have to go to train shows or on ebay to find the more popular Amtrak or NJ Transit versions).
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff83/Penncentral/8574.gif)
any SD would be out. I think any road power would look out of place. SWs might work. I think a 4-4-0 would work.
I believe anything that Bachmann makes (70t, 44t, streetcar,) has been mentioned except the Spectrum 0-6-0T and the 4-4-0
Other than that...
MDC EMD Model 40
FDT Trackmobile (Yes, I have seen a trackmobile pull a regular train)
Proto or Athearn SW600, 7, 9, 1200, or 1500
My 2 cents
Phil
Something no one has asked; if you're building a small L-shaped switching layout, why do you need a return loop? eliminate that and you could probably build curves that would handle almost any piece of rolling stock. As far as locomotives, since it's a switching layout you probably wouldn't see any C44-9W's anyway. Stay with switchers, GP's and maybe an SD40-2.
Ray
If possible, try to work in a wye instead of the loop, since the locomotive is probably what you need to turn and not the cars.
Just my thoughts. Ignore if you want.
you don't have to limit yourself to a logging or coal line if you want to use a shay. several were used as industrial switchers when their original owners' lines were abandoned.
Quote from: ray46 on October 10, 2007, 09:20:19 AM
Something no one has asked; if you're building a small L-shaped switching layout, why do you need a return loop? eliminate that and you could probably build curves that would handle almost any piece of rolling stock. As far as locomotives, since it's a switching layout you probably wouldn't see any C44-9W's anyway. Stay with switchers, GP's and maybe an SD40-2.
Ray
On the local UP - CP transfer in Shakopee/Savage MN I have seen GP38-2, SD40-2, SD90/43MAC, Dash 8, Dash 9 and GE-AC units.
The Kansas City Southern used a shay to switch in downtown Kansas City Mo..
The layout is an L Loop with many drop off points. I just like to run the trains around - drop off & pickup - then run around some more. Thanks for the specific suggestions - especially the AEM-7.
Quote from: wallywaldau on October 17, 2007, 11:40:53 PM
The layout is an L Loop with many drop off points. I just like to run the trains around - drop off & pickup - then run around some more. Thanks for the specific suggestions - especially the AEM-7.
Although an AEM7 may negotiate 15" I doubt amfleets, especially with close couplings will.
Quote from: Guilford Guy on October 18, 2007, 03:32:29 PM
Quote from: wallywaldau on October 17, 2007, 11:40:53 PM
The layout is an L Loop with many drop off points. I just like to run the trains around - drop off & pickup - then run around some more. Thanks for the specific suggestions - especially the AEM-7.
Although an AEM7 may negotiate 15" I doubt amfleets, especially with close couplings will.
Just because Amtrak doesn't run them in freight service doesn't mean that they're not capable of it. In fact, the Swedish RC-4, which the AEM-7 is just a variation of, regularly does so.
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff83/Penncentral/Rc4_1279.jpg)
So an AEM-7 in freight(or switching) service is entirely plausible.