Details about the New Bachmann HO PCC Value Sound Streetcar are disturbing. Its specification displays a min. turning radius of 15". For us who model the HO trolley segment this is a joke. Most of out street track has a 6" to 7" min. turning radius (prototypical). The renders this new product useless to the traction community. This is similar to a previous mistake made by Bachmann when they released the older PCCs with a 5 scale foot first step to get on the trolley. It was too high, and nobody in the traction community had any use for thing. You blew it again Bachmann!
The PCC car you are referring to is an update of the older model. The wheelbase has not changed and the car body has been lowered as a result of the new drive train. Not sure how Bachmann "blew it" if running characteristics of this model were not changed ???
A little work with a small square file on the corners of the trucks, where it meets the floor, will get the PCC down to running on an 8" radius curve.
Len
The smallest curved radius track Bachmann makes in HO E-Z Track is 15". Yardmaster, how much influence does that have on Bachmann's recommendation the HO PCC Streetcar performs best on 15" radius curves or greater?
It is an HO "scale" model based on drawings of the prototype....
One thing that helps is, like the prototype, using "ogive" curves to create easements at street corners. It also keeps long trolleys, like the PCC, from sweeping people of the sidewalk with their overhang. If you're not into hand laying track, it's doable using flex track.
A good description of the prototype, with HO easement dimensions, can be found at:
http://www.trolleyville.com/tv/school/lesson2_2/ (http://www.trolleyville.com/tv/school/lesson2_2/)
Len