Hi! I'm new in this forum and also in railroad modelling. I'm thinking of starting my first layout but I don't have a lot of space. So I would like to know the minimum radius for some diesel and steam locomotives. I have checked the website but there is no info about it! (maybe there is some but i haven't found it). It would be great if you could give me specific info about this!!
Thanks from Spain!!
In general almost all Bachmann diesel models will handle 18" curves. Most of their steam locos likewise. However, if you have the room, most everything looks and runs better on larger radius curves. If you can, use 22" curves. The larger steam locos (2-8-4, 4-8-4, etc.) much prefer the larger radius curves.
Many thanks! I would like to use larger radius curve but... i think i don't have enough space... at least not enough to use only 22" curves... i'll have to use mainly 18"...
Gracias! ;)
First you have to decide how much space is available. Many modelers start out with a 4 X 8 layout, which will easily accomodate 22" track. You can then add an inside loop of 18" for shorter locos and cars. A 4 axle diesel looks ok on the 18", a 6 axle looks and runs better on the 22".
If you are considering 86' pullmans, then you need larger curves, probably 28" or more.
For a few ideas on getting started, check my thread "Yampa Valley Railroad" in this section. PIcnic and ping pong tables make a good table to start with if you don't do woodworking. A full sheet of 1/2" plywood with 1/2" homasote on top is the norm for a small layout. Some are using 1/2" insulation board for the top, but it is extremely toxic and doesn't hold nails or screws.
Bob
MCR
El gusto es mio.
Your last post came in while I was typing. In my thread I mentioned 42" X 86" as being minimum for an 18" track. If you enjoy adding scenery it makes a nice diorama railroad. With the smaller size, you can still have lots of car storage in the freight yard.
Buena suerte
Bob
All of the curves on my all EZ-Track layout are 18" radius and my Bachmann equipment takes them with no problem. Nickel-silver EZ-Track is the only track I use.
But what is your Bachmann equipment?
Gene
A rebuilt thirty year old GP40, a DCC onboard GP35, a DCC onboard GP50 and DCC onboard GP40. Nothing fancy. The rest of my motive power is Athearn blue box locos, Proto 2000 and 1 Kato.
Those diesel locomotives are the ones i'd like to start with. And what is an "86' pullman"? Sorry if it is a silly question but i don't know yet all the English words in railroad modelling! I hope I will... Hehe.
Which steam locos do you recommend me to run on 18" curves? I know that the big ones need 22" or more, don't they?
What about the freight and passenger cars? I suppose 40' cars are OK for 18", what about 50' and more like flat cars?
I know I ask lots of questions but I want to have an idea as clear as possible before buying anything!
Gracias otra vez!! ;)
Quote from: MCR on March 06, 2008, 05:58:54 PM
And what is an "86' pullman"?
Pullman manufactured some large 86ft long boxcars back in the 70's, maybe 80's, I'm not great with rolling stock knowledge... Correct me if I am wrong.
There are more steam locomotives that will work on 18" radius than will look good on it. For looks let me recommend the 0-6-0, 2-6-0, 2-6-2, 0-8-0, 2-8-0, 2-10-0 Russian Decapod, 4-4-0, 4-4-2, 4-6-0, and smaller 4-6-2s. You can stretch it with the 2-8-2 and the USRA light 4-8-2 by Bachmann. Larger locos that are made to run around 18" radius look funny and may have overhang problems.
Gene
Quote from: Guilford Guy on March 06, 2008, 06:41:18 PM
Quote from: MCR on March 06, 2008, 05:58:54 PM
And what is an "86' pullman"?
Pullman manufactured some large 86ft long boxcars back in the 70's, maybe 80's, I'm not great with rolling stock knowledge... Correct me if I am wrong.
I believe the reference was to the 86 foot pullman passenger cars.
Quote from: KCS 1 on March 06, 2008, 09:51:10 PM
Quote from: Guilford Guy on March 06, 2008, 06:41:18 PM
Quote from: MCR on March 06, 2008, 05:58:54 PM
And what is an "86' pullman"?
Pullman manufactured some large 86ft long boxcars back in the 70's, maybe 80's, I'm not great with rolling stock knowledge... Correct me if I am wrong.
I believe the reference was to the 86 foot pullman passenger cars.
I thought Bachmann's Heavyweights were 72 foot?
I don't think so. But I'll go measure tomorrow.
Gene
http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?ID=200484896
I thought Bachmann made them at one point but a search wielded nothing but Walthers'.
I should know by now not to include information in my posts that is debatable LOL
A friend sent me a passenger car, he said it was a Pullman and it measured 86'. That's all I know. I should have just said "long passenger cars may not look right on smaller track". Here we go again. :D :D
Bob
I have a Bachman 4-8-2 heavy with DCC and sound and it is not a stretch to go around my layout which is all 18"curves.
Don :D
Don, you lucked out. Or do you travel at 5 mph? In any event, what about the overhang? What tender do you have?
Gene
I just found out that my Bachmann 2-10-2 will NOT work well,(If at all) on anything less that 22' curves. All by other locos, including the Bigboy, and challenger Will.....
NOW I need to broaden the curves...Again!!! :-[
Enlighten me please.
If a 2-8-0 works on 18", why not a 4-8-2? Same number of drive wheels, the pilot and trailing trucks swivel so wouldn't it be the same? Is it just the appearance?
I don't have any 4-8-2, just the Connies, and I run them full bore with no problems. I can see where 10 drive wheels would have a problem and not look too good. I mistakenly bought some 55' box cars, they looked bad on my 18", so I chopped them down to 45'. Now I only buy 40' cars. I think my success with smaller track is due to perfect trackwork, properly weighted cars and Kadee couplers.
For a time 40' box cars were somewhat scarce. Now there are many to choose from. Is this due to the growing market for the smaller radius sets? I don't know what the ratios are and don't really care, but with more young people starting up, the smaller sets may be greatly outnumbering the super layouts.
Reality is that many simply do not have the space or resources for larger layouts. I'm pushing the limit with a 4 X 8, but it will accomodate 22" if I expand. Now that I think of it, more elderly folks like me are looking at model railroading as a diversion, and most of us don't want the hobby to be an all encompassing part of our limited days.
Sure I enjoy my trains, but I have other priorities also.
Bob
Bob,
I have (2) (Bachmann "Lite Mountains ") 4-8-2's that run great on 18" curves. I just have to make sure the SCENERY is not too close. With the Bigboy, and Challenger running on my layout, I have already adjusted my scenery as needed: though. ;D
The light mountains will work on 18" radii, while the Heavy's will not. I believe the Heavy 4-8-2 has a longer wheelbase than both the light and the connie, but am not positive.
That makes sense.
Bob
Bob,
I fixed the Bachmann 2-10-2 to run on my layout!! It seems that the Southern unit Cab roof hits the Tender top. I just filed the tender coal frame to an angle, instead of a "Box" corner. Now it tracks curves perfectly!! It still hates my only #4 switch... In any direction!!! ;D
It's not just the number of drivers, but the diameter of the drivers as well. Take a x-8-x and put these numbers in for the "8": 56", 65", 72", 80" - see what happens to the length of the frame? With articulated - most non-brass articulated cheat. In brass and the real ones, the rear engine is fixed and does not swivel. But Rivarossi, Bachmann, BLI, etc, allow both engines to swivel. Big difference in the ability to traverse a tight radii - but the overhang is still there.
Gene
Gene;
You and I (plus many others) know that marketing is the steam that drives the sellers to provide articulateds that have both fore and aft drivers swiveled. If they didn't do that, then their sales would drop precipitously.
Bob;
One of the considerations I made, considering my steam roster, was to be totally uncompromising with not just radii, but the use of easement curves, and superelevation. The latter two do work admirably well as I have found this time (and the past layout as well); No mainline radius will be any sharper than 38" radius; I don't give a hang about the size and what the rest of the layout will have to be limited to; I can always go another level If I am that hot to have a lot of track. I will NOT compromise on radius, trackwork, turnout degree, etc.
In "Guitar Player" magazine many years ago, a comment was made in one of Jeff Baxter's editorials that "Many a battle of the bands was won by just one note!". In a way, that thesis parallels the abovementioned tenets.
Rich
With my small layout, I have to make compromises, the major one is limiting the size of my cars to 40' or less. I have considered getting a couple of 0-6-0 or Richmond 4-4-0, but at the present I am very pleased with the Connies, which are now 0-8-0.
The only problem I had was with the pilot trucks, they are now in a drawer and not missed.
Bob
And how much is 40' in millimeters (mm)?
Thanks everybody for the info, i'll let you know when i decide which locos will run on my layout.
Miguel
40 scale feet or 40 actual feet? ;)
I'm assuming 40 HO scale feet....
3.5mm=1 HO scale foot.
40 X 3.5 = 140mm
Sid