Hello there,


I need to know what is the minimum radius curve, HO scale, on which 50' cars would couple without intervention.

The 50' cars I have, have body mounted couplers, no talgo trucks, and all my locomotives also have body mounted couplers.

I have being running on 18" radius curves from when I started model railroading, and I'm thinking of upgrading to 22" radius curves and switches. I will be considering 24" curves also.

Thanks in advance,


Loco722



 

Hello there,


This is for information, in the USA is it common to see just 1 locomotive powering a train instead of a lash up of 2 or 3 when moving a train over flat terrain?

When I mean single I'm not referring to trains with one locomotive at the front and one at the back, but just one lone locomotive pulling the train from front using locomotives like GP15s, GP38s and GP39s in particular?

Just like to know if it is done using such locomotives as I've seen a very few pictures of GP15, 38 and 39s doing so.

Thanks in advance!


Loco722.

Hello there,

As mentioned by me under the topic "Maximum Gradient", I'm modeling a fictitious branch line (only diesels) in which the trains will only consist a maximum of 1 locomotive with 4 50ft box cars and caboose.

Looking thru the internet, I noticed that short trains as mentioned above don't seem to need a caboose at the back even with locos with conventional cabs.

Any opinions/thoughts with regard to this?

Thanks in advance !

Loco722. 

Hello there!

I'm in the process of designing a track plan for a new layout with a twice around oval track design.

After doing some research on the internet it seems like the maximum acceptable gradient for HO scale model railroads is 4%.

I'm modeling a fictitious branch line where the trains will be limited to only one locomotive (only diesels) and a maximum of 4 50ft box cars and a caboose.

The table is a 4 by 8ft table. All the curves will be 18'' radius and all gradients 4%.

Any opinions/comments/advice are most welcome .

Loco722.

Hello there.

This may be a really stupid question to ask but....... ,

Some months ago I received the Bachmann GE B23-7 locomotive and was very pleased with it.
I was really impressed with the fact it was 8 wheel drive and pickup which gave it smooth operation .

I have plans now to purchase a second Bachmann locomotive, a EMD GP40 from a online model train store and was wandering if it too had 8 wheel drive and pickup as the B23-7 as it did not mention it in the info .

My question is does all new Bachmann Diesel come with all wheel drive now ?

PS: Also is there any other alternative oil I could use to lubricate the locomotives other than the purpose built model locomotive lubricant ?

Thanks a lot in advance ,

Loco 722.