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Discussion Boards => HO => Topic started by: sf 3751 sp 4449 on May 15, 2010, 06:18:08 PM

Title: minimum radius
Post by: sf 3751 sp 4449 on May 15, 2010, 06:18:08 PM
does anybody know what the minimum radius is for the daylight budd dome car and the santa fe pullman green passenger cars? :)
Title: Re: minimum radius
Post by: ABC on May 15, 2010, 06:58:12 PM
They run best on 22" radius or greater, running on anything less will create a great deal of overhang (meaning other trains or scenery could get clipped or hit) and would likely lead to derailments especially if the loco has a long tender. Using longer couplers can help prevent this sometimes.
Title: Re: minimum radius
Post by: sf 3751 sp 4449 on May 15, 2010, 07:02:12 PM
what about 18 inch because my layout has a 18" radius and a 22" radius loop and to get to my freight yard i need to get past the 18"
Title: Re: minimum radius
Post by: ABC on May 15, 2010, 07:11:00 PM
Quote from: sf 3751 sp 4449 on May 15, 2010, 07:02:12 PM
what about 18 inch
Not the best idea, especially if you don't have great trackwork. What type of locos are you going to run them with? I personally have had some issues in the past with 18" radius, but they have run flawlessly on 22" and greater radius curves.
Title: Re: minimum radius
Post by: sf 3751 sp 4449 on May 15, 2010, 07:17:51 PM
bachmann daylight and santa fe 4-8-4 and broadway limited 3751 but i found out that i can change it around to where i can get to the yard without touching a 18" radius curve
Title: Re: minimum radius
Post by: ABC on May 15, 2010, 07:27:41 PM
Well I guess if you are going to run a Northern and a GS-4 on 18 inch radius track you may as well run 85' passenger cars on 18" radius, but that is not a good recipe for smooth running, but if its really what you want to do...ultimately you should make the decisions and not let what I or anyone else says change your mind if you really have your heart set on something. My advice, take it for what it's worth, is to avoid running the 4-8-4's and 85 foot passenger cars on anything less than 22" radius.
Title: Re: minimum radius
Post by: sf 3751 sp 4449 on May 15, 2010, 07:30:25 PM
k thanks for the help
Title: Re: minimum radius
Post by: uncbob on May 15, 2010, 09:11:23 PM
I have 50 FT Overland cars and while the run smooth at 24 radius they still  could stand improvement in the looks area

I would not even waste $ on 87 footers