Does anyone have thoughts about using 15" in diameter curves? Are 18" better?
Thanks
To clarify, that is HO Atlas code 100 curves.
Cant comment on the actual ATLAs brand,( The equivlent over hers is available by other manufacturers such as PECO,) I would recommend 18" as a minimum radius if you can fit it in your available space,
I run most of the Bachmann 0n30 locos, I have found that ALL will run round 15" curves but they perform a lot better on the larger radius,
You have to consider also the overhang on the larger locos such as Mallet 2-6-6-2 & 4-6-0 which can sometimes cause problems with clearance at the trackside and occasionally couplings!
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Should note also that the smaller locos like Gas Mechs & Porters are quite happy on 15" radius and a lot less than 15" as well
Hope this helps
I hope you mean 15" radius.
This may help:
http://www.npcrr.net/On30/On30Loco_n_Car_Radius_pics.pdf (http://www.npcrr.net/On30/On30Loco_n_Car_Radius_pics.pdf)
It's a link to a chart with minimum radii for On30 locos. 15" seems to be the practical minimum for a number of them, but it's pretty tight. If you can go wider, you increase your chances of being able to run more locos (including that future "must have" dream loco.)
Later,
K
My forney will not run on 15r track My 2-6-0 will not run on 15r track they are both bachmann
NM
My Apologies I did not consider the 2-6-0 in my post above, I sold those off long ago!
However just tried a Forney on 15" radius and it traversed it OK Overhang is a bit severe though!
Try that forney with a car coupled to it, even coupled to the front it's marginal at best.
A loco that can't pull cars is useless
NM
Just my opinin
Exactly As I stated overhang is a problem with body mounted couplers,, HOWEVER if a car is modified and bogie ( truck) mounted couplers are fitted all will be well.
Obviously its not nescessary to modify all cars just those which will be coupled to the loco
I will try to take a photo. of a modified car
Thanks everyone! and yes 15" radius...
Hornblower
For body mounted couplers you can also try a long shank coupler between first car and engine. I have done this and it works.
Bob
I must amend me earlier post, I just put my 2-6-0 on the Xmas village layout I am building for my wife it's an inside outside loop of 18" and 15" Radius EZ-Track, though Tight the 2-6-0 runs fine and so do the gondolas with body mount couplers. I would still stick with 18"R
NM
I believe you really have to try out different engines on different track radii. I set up a figure-eight loop using Atlas code 100, 15" radius track (for a special small train set I made). Just to see if they worked, I tried my 2-6-6-2 mallet (On30, Bachmann) and it took the curves easily including the crossovers. But my 2-6-0 Mogul (ditto) had trouble: the front bogies often jumped off on the curves, and the entire engine sometimes completely derailed on the crossovers. I don't know of others had similar results.
I have a small layout with a 15" 16 1/2" and an 18" radis curves. I have run everthing (with cars) but the Forney. I even ran the 2-8-0-no problens and my track is Atlas 100 code track. just a note the 2-8-0 also runs at any speed. But yes, 18" os more forgiving. I did have to shim up at the beginning of the 15" curve.
' is much more forgiving.
Hi there!
The Forney´s main problem is in fact the body mounted coupler. If the coupler would have been mounted to the trailing truck the problem´s wouldn´t have occured. In tight curves, the Forney´s trailing truck becomes unstable due to the limited side swing. After that, the body mounted coupler, swinging outside of the middle of the track, shoves the coupled car, especially light ones, out of the track...
I have halfway solved this problem by removing the coupler and milling a space into the footplate, then adding a RIBU (European made) NMRA coupler pocket I still had. This coupler pocket has a centering spring and can swing freely to right and left. This did not solve everything, but the derailments decreased in numbers...
Kind regards, Tom