Laid Off Sick....question about your video!

Rick

I can't answer your question, but as a reference I am running 042 curves with bodymount couples. I have to put them 1/16 outside the body due tight curves.

I hope this info will help you.

Andre.

Rick,

I'm using Atlas O54 turnouts with no straight track between curves and I body mount Kadee couplers on everything I run. I try to keep car length to 40' or less but I do have some longer gondolas and hoppers and so far haven't experienced any problems. Some of my cars have scale wheels and I did have problems with those until I put a shim on the top of the guard rail of the diverging route (I think that's what it's called). I'm currently building a switching-type layout and do everything at slow speeds. After many years in HO there was no way I was going to give up the Kadees!

Joe

Thanks Guys,

AG,

Thanks for the input....0-42....humm!

Joe.

Good info, I have read about the shims on gaurd rails but I am supprised to learn of no issues with 0-54 being of no concern. I to plan to run smallish cars and slow speed for switching......I gotta get busy and do something, even if it turns out wrong!

Thanks Again.

Rick

Anyone else? Please!

Yes, 0-42 I have not to much room so this is the radius that I am using.

I begin using scale wheels with GG track and switches, they were doing just fine at any speed.

Andre.

Hey Rick,

I can't honestly answer because the smallest turnout I use is 064, and that's not in a reverse curve situation. In all probability, you will have problems with 054, even if you make some modifications. I've had problems with 072 and 21" passenger cars.

Most likely your wheels are going to rub on the "ears" of the Kadee mounting box... simple solution, file/grind off the ears. On reverse curves they still may rub and limit the turning radius.

Your couplers most likely will not have enough swing for an 054, especially in a reverse curve. Couple solutions. 1. mount the box further out on the car floor (but probably) won't help. 2. use extended shaft couplers (they will look weird) 3. modify the mounting box and coupler shank to allow for maximum swing. (I did that to all my 21" passenger cars)  

Using 054 and extended couplers kind of defeats the purpose of 3RS. I know you like the operational points of Kadees..... but 054 curves just is not goning to be easy or hassle free. 

If you're just a loop runner, getting Kadess to go around in a circle isn't too difficult, but if you want to do realistic switching (without touching your cars), slow speed operations pulling and shoving.... go with #4's at least and use the hi-rail wheels. Yes I know people run 2R wheels and I did to for awhile, but once I switched back to hi-rail wheels, with Kadee couplers, I never have derailments when switching.

I'm not going to debate whether or not you can or can't make 2R wheels work, but I will tell you that 054 is going to give you problems switching with Kadees... guaranteed!

Thanks Laidoffsick.

All good info, even though different info from different people regarding the same subject! I guess in quest should be: build it and see what works and what doesn't.

Thanks Again,

Rick.

Rick,

There is a relation between the coupler and truck pivoting point.To shorted distance better handle tight curves is why some passenger cars can cause problems, in this case I use swiveling coupes adding an arm from the truck.

Andre.

AG

I re-read the sticky(s) atop this forum.....one of them says..."it's about the trains"...so...3RS on on 0-72 tubular is...acceptable...! I know full well if it is what I want then it dosen't matter. But by human nature we all usually try to "fit in" when partaking of a hobby.

Said as an example: Norm Charbonneau's trains on Frank53's layout.

Rick.

Rick,

You're right about that "fitting in" part. That's exactly what drove me away from HO scale. I started to take things too seriously and lost sight of the fun factor. I'm liking the larger scale and am willing to accept that some compromises must be made. I can't run passenger cars, large locomotives, and most modern-day equipment with O-54 curves (minimum) and keep body-mounted couplers, and I accept that.

Each car I convert to Kadees gets tested and adjusted before it goes into the operational fleet. They must operate reliably or they don't go on the layout. I don't use Kadee uncoupling magnets and I snip off the faux air hose from the bottom of the coupler, meaning I take a "hands on" approach to my switching (ala Lance Mindheim). I use a bamboo skewer to stick between the knuckles to uncouple the cars. I should add that I'm constructing a shelf-type layout and all track and switching locations are within arms reach. If I were building it differently I would probably be telling a much different story!

My eyes have certainly enjoyed the switch to the new scale but my wallet cries every day!

Have fun,

Joe

Rick,

I was running scale wheels on 3 rails GG track using DC voltage and was awesome!

Andre