I was reading a magazine in which the author of a 3 rail O scale layout stated: He liked "big" steamers, but had a comparatively small space. He further stated his engines would negotiate 0-36 curves although they looked funny in so doing. The boxes for my large steamers all recommend 0-72. Does this mean they will not "run" on smaller diameter curves?
Syd
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If your "big" steamers resemble the font you chose, they will run on HO curves, maybe even N.
What, me worry?
how did you make the type so small?
Some, or a few, of the O72 steamers might negotiate O60 curves. But I'd guess smaller diameter curves become much less likely to allow operation of O72 locomotives.
Syd
You're confusing the radius, which is 36 inches, and the diameter which is 72 inches, and is given the name "072"
036 curves would have a radius of 18 inches and a diameter of 36 inches.
Big steamers and long, scale length passenger cars almost always need "072" curves.
Another thing that might be confusing here is that in HO and other scales, the curves are usually referenced by their radius, and in 3-rail O Scale we usually refer to the diameter because that's how Lionel chose to refer to them a long, long time ago.
Oops! I just re-read the article. It does describe 36 inch radius ( 0-72, not 0-36 as I misunderstood) curves. Therefore, the question I posed is silly.
In answer to Bigdodgetrain, I haven't the foggiest notion how or why the font was so small.
Thanks for responding.
Syd
bigdodgetrain posted:how did you make the type so small?
My guess without trying: Type the comment in a Word doc, then copy and paste in this forum.
Syd
No need to feel silly. It's a common misunderstanding. I hope my reply was helpful.
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