Curves

Henry,

Were you pulling any cars at the time?  Often the curve restrictions have more to do with the ability of the engine's couplers to pull along the centerline between the rails.  If they don't do this correctly the car immediately behind the engine derails on tight curves, but not the engine itself.

Mike

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

Henry,

Were you pulling any cars at the time?  Often the curve restrictions have more to do with the ability of the engine's couplers to pull along the centerline between the rails.  If they don't do this correctly the car immediately behind the engine derails on tight curves, but not the engine itself.

Mike

There are 28 cars the engine is pulling with no problems. This was only a test the cars belong to different engines but this was my longest hookup.

The devil is in the details, after some experience with it on the tight curves, we'll listen patiently for any feedback on success or failure.

It’s been my experience that any diesel locomotive with 3-axle trucks (i.e. SDs) had to really strain to get around my Fastrack O36 curves. I popped the shell on one I had a few years back with Pulmor motors and noticed black powder on the inside of the shell near the trucks. So I sold it and now run only geeps and F3s on my sharp-curved layout with no issues. 3-axle trucks really need broader curves to function well.

One of my favorite trains to run with my son and daughter is the mth flying Yankee!! It really gets tricky with the curves it needs. When it goes around a curve it looks so cool.

Well after 75 scale miles of right turns, left turns,switches, pulling short cars,long cars behind engine speeds from 10 to 60 smph. the engine seemed to be smooth. The only thing I did not do is a consist but on my layout this engine will be a loaner pulling 10 cars or so. So all is good with me.

Thanks for your reply's

Henry

I would suggest you don't apply the "knowledge" that all three-axle diesels will run the same, I suspect you'll be disappointed pretty quickly.

From what I have seen, the minimum curve a manufacturer will say a locomotive will take is based on the track they make.  MTH RealTrax comes in O-42 and O-31, so I was surprised to read yours says O-36.  After some research, your engine is 2-rail capable, and checking ScaleTrax it comes in O-36.  I think that is why your box says O-36.

That fact that an almost 19" 3-axle diesel runs on O-31 is a bonus for you.  Like John stated, don't expect that to always be the case. As mentioned numerous times on this forum, use the largest radius curves you can so you are not limited on what you can run.

I have been following this discussion with interest. I am interested in the attached. I believe it’s two axels. I have only two areas that have 031. Everything else has been upgraded to at least 042. Any ideas. Would I have any issues. The gauge on the description says 0 027. So I am also confused because it also states 042. I really have had my eye on Wheeling and Lake Erie for some time and now I see MTH is producing one.

@Dale Guthman posted:

I have been following this discussion with interest. I am interested in the attached.

Since it doesn't have fixed pilots, it's hard to believe a 14" long 2-axle diesel won't run on 031.

Ron, John

Most of my engines are Railking Imperial/scale engines some 4 axle premier. I took a chance on this because of the Price. My other levels are 042 curves. I had to use 031 because of the design of my lower level in 3 spots the rest of the lower level is 042/054/072. I know that the larger steam and any long cars or non railking engines I can not run because of this . I had to make due with what I have.

Thanks Henry

In all facets of Life, there are three things that can cause problems..

what it will do

what it could do

And the inability to acknowledge the difference.

Yes, you can use a Crescent Wrench as a Hammer-but you can’t carry the wrench in the hammer holder on your tool belt.
And you’ll never consistently successfully use a hammer as a Crescent Wrench…but a hammer can assist a Crescent Wrench in some instances.

And when you know what it will do, what it could do you will be better able to discern what it should do..

And it’s been my personal experience in my life, doing what should be done is always the best; best decision and best outcome.

I would heed the recommendations-unless you got that engine for a few dollars, is it really worth putting unnecessary wear on it?

Especially knowing that parts are almost mythical in todays MTH reality.

Good luck

60 smph around 031 curves. I don't think fighter pilots experience those G forces.

@turkey_hollow_rr posted:

60 smph around 031 curves. I don't think fighter pilots experience those G forces.

Is 65 smph around O72 curves okay?  I tend to run my HO at 65+ on 26r.  I get bored at slow speeds.

I dunno. Ask the guys in the cab, if they didn't go flying out the window.

I saw a program about the Goat Canyon Bridge the other day. I think they said it was a 14 degree curve and how really sharp that is for a railroad. I think 072 in O is close to that.

Few years back I asked the owner of Weaver Trains, why is cars were marked at O42' He told me they do that to be on the safe side, and the cars really operate fine on O31.... But in case they don't, marking it O42 eliminates any controversy'...

This Sd70 appears to be running fine on the layout..  Looking at the layout, I'm sure the original poster knows only too well what he is doing....

I agree with you on this Ted.

The track looks like it is on a flat solid surface.  If there were curves on grades or something similar without a good even surface there might be issues. 🤔

Thanks guys for your replies. I will make sure that I keep my hammer and crescent wrench separate as well. Most of my engines have G suits installed for the fast curves

Thanks Henry

Do the rules also apply to metric Crescent wrenches and left-handed hammers?

@Arthur P. Bloom posted:

Do the rules also apply to metric Crescent wrenches and left-handed hammers?

Depends if you have your socks on the correct feet, or if there’s a River between you and your spouse on the third Tuesday of the month that doesn’t end with BER…but, only if you put your left shoe on first.

Remember the first rule about tools:  Every tool is a hammer, except a screwdriver, that's a chisel!    Haaaaaaah!