So, regarding a curved yard lead. O-72 radius. If running scale diesel, 10-12' trains, can you run through a full 180deg curve ?
Any do's and dont's in designing with a curved yard lead?
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Well, it depends upon what type of yard. If it is an engine service area, there should be no issues. If it is for car storage, maybe. On longer trains, if you have lighter cars towards the front, you'll likely be dealing with derailments.
On our club's modular layout, backing trains through a 90 degree 072 curve frequently causes problems.
This Primer has some really good information. I'm not going to say "impossible", but just due to available real estate you will be doing some compromising.
Well, so that was my expectation, but I have seen a lot of them lately on plans. Thanks.
On a yard lead, I presume you're moving slowly anyways. If you use tangent curves from the mainline, it'll probably also improve the performance and prevent stringlines (i.e. start at O100 or so and bring it down closer to the yard). You wont see issues with stringlining at 10' trains. If thats the longest train you plan to run, just put in the curves and run it. A train that short wont care. If your yard tracks are curved though, you may have issues coupling and uncoupling unless you plan to use an 0-5-0 switcher.
Your problem is going to be that the lionel kinematic couplers dont like to be pushed. If you have any of those, and try to push the cars around a curve, problems are likely no matter what you do.
