I want to build a real compact layout and want to use 15" radius curves. What can I run? The biggest engine I plan on running is Tyco's 0-8-0. Its gonna be real tight! " Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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I want to build a real compact layout and want to use 15" radius curves. What can I run?
Originally posted by Redneck Justin - May 19 2010 : 10:31:05 AM
N Scale.
Seriously, I've dont' know for certain but you might even have a problem with the rolling stock if not properly weighted. Some 0-6-0 locos don't have flanges on the middle drive wheels. This would be a possibility on your layout. On the Layouts forum , I think there was a layout with a 14" radius loop. Whoever had it could only run an 0-4-0.
Unspoken expectations are premeditated failures.
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I used to have a 15" curve inner loop on my layout. I recall most talgo truck 40' cars had no problem as well as most 4 axel diesels. This was all older equipment say 1970's and 80's. No body mounted couplers on the equipment. Most of my British and European trains handle 15" curves with no trouble at all.X2F
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I used to live in a real small house and had a 15" radius layout. I had all 40' cars with body mount couplers. I could run 4 axel diesels and Pacifics and smaller steam. This was a long time ago but I'm sure there were a few 8 driver engines that worked OK. Dennis
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Seems hard to believe, but there was a time not-so-long-ago (the 50's) where 15" was almost the "standard", 18" was a luxury and 22" was the domain of rivetcounting hand-layers. The Talgo set even included 15" curves IIRC. Compare that to today where even 22" isn't enough for most new equipment being manufactured. "24 recommended" means "HAHAHA don't even THINK of bothering with 18"!
So that said... there shouldn't be any trouble with 15" curves if you limit yourself to 40' car lengths (maybe the occasional 50-footer) and appropriate motive power. There's a huge variety out there, so the only limit will come from the era you can model - nothing newer than the "transition era" will look right, and you'll have to go back further than that to model passenger trains.
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I have run the Tyco Chattanooga 0-8-0 with no issue on 15r curves. In addition to this I have used several pieces of Athearn and Round house rolling stock with body mounted couplers. Most of the cars were 40 foot or less. 50 foot flats also did work. The key was to weiht the cars properly and not to go to fast. Also keep in mind that an climb on a 15r turn will be harder for the loco to make than on a wider turn.
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I miss the old days when nearly anything that was RTR would work on 18" curves. I just don't have the room for 22" curves on my layout. I noticed this trend in modern 3 rail O trains as well. I just wonder how many people really have room for such big layouts (bigger than 4X8).X2F
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Posted - May 19 2010 : 10:31:05 AM
What can I run? The biggest engine I plan on running is Tyco's 0-8-0. Its gonna be real tight!
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Posted - May 19 2010 : 8:06:57 PM
