What is the smallest radius a 4 wheel either a porter or diesel switcher can negotiate. I'm thinking of starting a SMALL layout. Thanks... Jerry
A well known guide to ON30 radius is that of Prof Kryzylr (an Australian ON30 modeller). See http://train-model.neuf.fr/on30/On30Loco_n_Car_Radius.pdf (http://train-model.neuf.fr/on30/On30Loco_n_Car_Radius.pdf)
Of course whether a particular loco looks OK on a tight curve is entirely up to you, if you think it looks OK, it is, if you think it doesn't, it isn't.
Hamish
A more up to date version of the guide is in Files on either of the On30 Conspiracy or the On30 groups on Yahoo.
Eric UK
Thanks Everyone for your help....Jerry
I've used 6" radius curves on my micro-layout, and the 0-4-0 and Diesel handle them fine. The side-dump mine cars also work, but I mainly run HO Thomas cars that are heavily bashed. It was a test layout, but it's really fun to take to shows. It's on Youtube, if you search for On30 and grits3d.
Manager
Hamish,
Is that the same Professor Klyzlr that 0n30nutz quoted on 20 July last year?
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,6108.msg51995.html#msg51995 (http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,6108.msg51995.html#msg51995)
I tried the French link in your post above and got 404 errors.
Jim
Jim
Yes - that is the same information from the same person - I had forgotten that it had been previously posted here.
I tested my link before posting and it worked, now it doesn't - such are the ways of the internet!
Hamish
A friend put my 6" radius layout on YouTube at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqkRB5Wo1Pc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqkRB5Wo1Pc)
Not a problem with Porters and a gas mechanical. The trains were controlled with DCC.
Jim
I have a mini layout with 10" R curves and the 0-4-0 and diesel run fine.
For more info on micro-layouts, some of you might not have found Carl Arendt's excellent website, frequently updated:
http://www.carendt.com/ (http://www.carendt.com/)
As to the question of why... Why use such small curves? Well, because we can. Because it allows for the construction of highly portable mini-layouts. Because mini-layouts are cute, and are often real crowd-pleasers at shows. And because they drive some of the prototype HO guys nuts.
Manager
I used a 5'' R on my layout and it works fine. However, if you are using flex-track you might want to test to see how tight the track will bend, if you hand-laying like i did,
then you are fine.
-Steve09
Gads! 4" & 5" radius'! :o That's amazing, So how are you guys getting that tight of a bend without binding up the flex track?
Ive often contemplated building a mini for a train show display but havent as of yet. What a great way to expose Bachmann on30 equipment
Perhaps someone can enlighten me? :)
Thanks.
I suspect for that tight a radius, hand laying the track is the only way to go. Sounds like a good way to learn how to hand lay. And if you don't like it, there is not much loss in time or materials.
Jim
Thanks for the advice Jim, I do hand lay all of my rail . I figured they had some exotic new way of doing this task. Thanks ! ;)