One factor that has slowed speed on curves is the gradual reduction in superelevation on routes no longer having regularly scheduled passenger trains. However, there was always some variation there, as some roads had their own standards for superelevation. My home road uses less superelevation than it did in the 1940's, but I can't say how the gauge compares to the 1940's on curves.
In my railroad experience, the only time we had concerns about steam engines and curves was on auxiliary tracks, especially wyes, and that was because of poor tie condition (which would affect gauge if the outside rail rolled some due to the inability of the ties to hold spikes tightly).
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