Minimum Curve for LionChief Plus Mikado Locomotives

I have the TMCC version and it will do 027

I've had one for years negotiating 0-31 curves and switches.

Jon

I had one that would not run reliably on 0-31 or 0-42. The screws holding the drive rods onto the wheels would get pushed into the crossheads and valve gear sliding back and forth when running causing major binding and issues. 

I traded it to a friend who has apparently been running it trouble free on much wider curves since then. 

I have the Pennsy TMCC Mikado and the Lionchief+ and run them on 031 with many 022 switches without binding.

TRESTFAN,

   I have the HallMark/Lionel Santa Express LC, it runs on my inner most 031 Loop of RealTrax all the time and has absolutely no problems, in fact I engineered that inner loop at the foot of our Bear Christmas Tree, expressly for this LC Train.  It runs perfectly, don't even use rubber traction tires on her, and in addition the little engine pulls some pretty heavy older Lionel operating rolling stock, as you see in the picture above.

PCRR/Dave

I'm curious about this one as well.  Is there anything different in the LC+ drive train as opposed to earlier TMCC/conventional versions?  I think so.  

I don't have the Mikado, so I can't confirm, but I suspect it uses the same basic gearbox that is on the newer 0-8-0's and 2-8-4's. I do have a polar express 2-8-4,(rated for O27 curves) and it will not run well on anything less than O36,   I suspect the Mikado will perform the same way despite being rated for O31 curves.  

This issue is specific to the 8 driver locomotives, the 0-8-0's, 2-8-2's, and 2-8-4's put out in the last several years has to to with the length of the driving truck in my opinion, as my hudson's(4-6-4) in TMCC, and LC+ will run fine on O27 curves, as will the LC+ NW2 diesels. 

Dave's experience with the realtrax O31 is interesting, as  I know my 2-8-4 polar express will derail more often than not on lionel tubular O31.  Perhaps the realtrax, being just slightly wider, is just enough to keep from having problems.  If that's the case, then it should run equally well on any track that uses center-rail diameter, including fasttrack.  

JGL

Thank you all for your comments.

It sounds like most of the experiences are positive and the locomotives operate on the smaller curves.

I remember reading your posts, SJC, maybe you just got a messed up locomotive.

Johngaltline, that is an interesting theory, but some of the other posters are able to operate on 036 and even 031 curves.

I was looking at getting one of these for our layout and had the same concern since we are pretty much all O-27. I found this thread with a video in it from last year where they taking it through O-27 curves on a layout.

https://ogrforum.com/t...87#35076992433456287

I'm pretty sure this will be what we get next after some saving.

trestrainfan posted:

Thank you all for your comments.

It sounds like most of the experiences are positive and the locomotives operate on the smaller curves.

I remember reading your posts, SJC, maybe you just got a messed up locomotive.

Johngaltline, that is an interesting theory, but some of the other posters are able to operate on 036 and even 031 curves.

Maybe but considering the first one responded the same way (later self-destructed itself and was returned) and the "new" second one did the same thing, I sure don't think it was just my engine!

Exploded diagrams for various production runs of the junior Mikado are on lionelsupport.com. 

I checked a while ago, and the hex-head driving rod screws (and perhaps the wheelsets) used on the LC+ version are different from previous run(s).  I don't believe this was a deliberate change; Lionel may have been forced to use a different factory in China, which in turn used what they *thought* were equivalent parts.  If the clearance was close to begin with, the new part may not have enough to allow bind-free operation on all configurations of smaller diameter track.

SJC, I believe it would be possible (but expensive) to solve the binding issue by modifying and substituting various parts from a first-generation TMCC or conventional Mikado.  You could get some of your money back by parting out what's leftover on a popular auction site.

IMO O36 is the new O31.  I personally wouldn't build a new layout with anything smaller than O36.  And even though they appear to be operating smoothly, the speed control may be camouflaging the increase in friction.  Sharp eyes can sometimes spot a slight lurch when these 8-drivered locos enter a curve.  For best operation and appearance on O31 and smaller curves, I would stick with a Hudson or Pacific.  My $.02.