On certain Lionel products, the catalog states that they have a minimum curve radius of O-36. Can these cars and engines make it around Realtrax O-31 curves?
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The only way to know is for someone to try with each item. While many will be fine, a good amount will not. Additionally, some that can handle the O-31 curves will derail when going through switches one or both ways.
-Greg
Lionel doesn't test their products for 031 these days, since they no longer make it
El Classico posted:Lionel doesn't test their products for 031 these days, since they no longer make it
They make O31 Fastrack, right?
I have found that quite a few of the bigger scale articulated Lionels that are rated for 072 minimum; will actually navigate 054 quite reliably. And several that are rated for 054 will actually operate on 042. One notable exception is the articulated EM-1. It will not handle anything less than 072, because the rear power truck is firmly affixed to the frame; ie it does not swivel. Same with the UP 4-12-2 3 cylinder, and the VL Bigboy.
Rod
I can give you one example that will NOT make it around O31 that works with O36. The Hogwart's Express locomotive will not make O31 curves, it requires the O36 minimum, and that's what it's rated for.
What about the Lionel Amfleet cab car? Can that make it around O-31 curves?
I have the Lionel Amfleet cab car and its navigates my Fastback 036 curves without issues. I only hope the Lionel F40 locomotive I have on preorder will perform equally as well seeing it's rated for 054 curves. Since we are on the subject can anyone here on the forum comment on their experiences with the Lionel kinematic couplers on the newer loco's and 036 curves.
THANKS
The minimum curve requirement is based upon complex turnouts and S curves. In the past my 072 p5a modifies ran on 054 (072 rated), my P3 NYC Hudson with PT Tender will run on my 054 curves and it is rated for 072. I just tested my Legacy Big Boy and it ran on my Ross 064 with transitions of 072. I just verified that contrary to one of the other posts, my Legacy EM1 does operate on the Ross 064 curves. I also verified that my 3rd Rail SF 2900 class northern also runs on that curve as well. One note is the bolt holding the boiler to the chassis came off. Louie at Engine House Hobbies, epoxied a nut inside the boiler after taking out the smoke unit to fix the stripped threads.
@Rod Stewart posted:I have found that quite a few of the bigger scale articulated Lionels that are rated for 072 minimum; will actually navigate 054 quite reliably. And several that are rated for 054 will actually operate on 042. One notable exception is the articulated EM-1. It will not handle anything less than 072, because the rear power truck is firmly affixed to the frame; ie it does not swivel. Same with the UP 4-12-2 3 cylinder, and the VL Bigboy.
Rod
Which can and which can't do 042? @Rod Stewart One guy on another thread said the USRA 2-6-6-2 can't do 042. I'd be curious on the curves for some of the articulated.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I can give you one example that will NOT make it around O31 that works with O36. The Hogwart's Express locomotive will not make O31 curves, it requires the O36 minimum, and that's what it's rated for.
My Albert Hall is rated for 036, but will only run on 042. Someone said the 036 was a typo in the catalog.
Anyone know if Tom thumb and best friend of Charlotte can handle diameters less than O-27? They are so small I would imagine they could but I do not have any tight radius track to try it with.
Typically, I have found that MTH's radii claims are far looser than Lionel's.
@lckiii posted:Anyone know if Tom thumb and best friend of Charlotte can handle diameters less than O-27? They are so small I would imagine they could but I do not have any tight radius track to try it with.
O27 is the tightest that I’m aware of, …
Pat
The only tighter diameters would be something like EZ-Streets.
How about flex track? O-6 
@SteveH posted:How about flex track? O-6
Try actually bending flex track much smaller than O27 and get back to us on the results.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Try actually bending flex track much smaller than O27 and get back to us on the results.
Someone who wrote a feature for the magazine a few years ago was able to make a 12" radius flex track curve, I found the topic but didn't rewatch the video to see if he'd removed ties to accomplish it.
@pittsburghrailfan posted:Someone who wrote a feature for the magazine a few years ago was able to make a 12" radius flex track curve, I found the topic but didn't rewatch the video to see if he'd removed ties to accomplish it.
Well, a 12" radius would be a 24" diameter, not much smaller than the O27. I think O6 would be an impossible journey! 
I know that Tom Tee routinely did O31 curves with flex track, but that's the smallest I've seen.
My new Legacy SD70 is rated for 036 and will not go through and 031 switch. All six wheels on the truck are flanged. My older 18250 BNSF has 4 wheels of the 6 flanged and it goes through the 031 switch, but I had to insulate the non-flanged wheels. The overhange was so great they touched center rail in the switch. It is rated for O31...
What about the prewar 250e? I know the railchief cars are 072 or larger radius, but what about just the loco and tender? I know they sold the 250e/250w with a freight set as well in the prewar years. I do know the reissue 1-700e scale NYC Hudson will do 042 just fine if the smaller pilot wheels are fitted. Unlike its prewar cousins that are 072 or larger only. AD
In the prewar Lionel catalogs it explains that 0-27 and 0-31 track is measured over the ends of the ties, but 0-72 is measured on the diameter of the center rail. That probably makes 0-27 track closer to a 24” diameter on the center rail. I have no idea how the more modern curves are measured.
Be careful running trains on sharper curves other than what the manufacture suggests. Some time ago, I picked up a good deal on a used MTH premiere PRR Streamlined K4s that the seller sold because the pilot truce left wear marks inside the boiler streamlined skirting by running it on 054 curves rather than 072 that was stated by MTH.
Gene you're lucky that the issue is cosmetic. The driving wheels on MTH steam locos are made of soft stuff. If a loco has a lot of run time on or below its minimum diameter, the flanges wear to a sharp edge, and it begins to derail at switches. I've heard this from a few different reputable sources. The worse news is that would take real skill to replace the front driving wheel(s), or you could buy a whole new "drive block" if one is available. Otherwise, it's a shelf queen!
Personally I find MTH locos to be gauged "tight." Mike Wolf wanted to sell trains, and he was pretty aggressive with the published minimum diameter. If you put a lot of miles on and want best performance and longevity, it would be wise to buy something rated for curves one size smaller than what you actually have. My $.02.
