What is the minimum radius curves for K-line 18” heavyweight passenger cars?
Thanks, Jim
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O-42
O-42 is the minimum for the K-line 18" cars
Bryce
K-line did make at least one set of 18" cars, maroon in color, lettered for NYC that could do 031". The corner steps were hinged and would fold up when the coupler hit them. Not aware if any other cars were made with this feature.
They were meant to go with their scale NYC Hudson which could also do .031 if the included longer drawbar was installed.
Trivia for today.
Pete
I have that New York set. I believe it is called the "28th Anniversary" set. The step feature is sheer genius and I have run them on 031 O gauge track. Does it look good?....well....
Any size track from 042 on up is much better.
John
Pete and John,
I too have that set (K-4470B) and to my knowledge, that was the only set k-line made with the folding steps. Maybe they made more?
You can run these on 0-31 but if the steps lockup, it is not going to be a good day.
Make sure that they can move freely and add some lubricant just to be safe (I speak from personal experience when I say this). My recommendation is to just keeps them on 0-42 or greater curves.
Bryce
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I suggest you check the height of K-Line O-42 track switches before you run a K-Line 18" heavyweight through them. Our K-Line 18" MU sets 'kick' the center rail roller off the track on 42" K-Line Super Track. John in Lansing, ILL
I ran my Hudson and the cars on 031 just to see if they would do it. They did but it wasn't pretty. Normally they run on 072 minimum.
Pete
If the cars have 'swing skirts' on them they can go around as little as 031 curves.
Beware, my MTH passenger cars that are supposed to navigate 042 mock me every time I try. My 2 cents, add 10% to whatever the manufacturer suggests and then go with the next size larger. ie. min 042 times 10% would be 046, since that doesn't exist go with 054.
I've seen the folding steps, but I'm pretty sure there were not on a NYC set.
I have 4 New Haven cars with the folding steps.
I believe their Bombadier bilevel commuter coaches had swinging skirts, at least on the shorter versions.
---PCJ
RailRide posted:I believe their Bombadier bilevel commuter coaches had swinging skirts, at least on the shorter versions.
---PCJ
Didn't some of their aluminum cars as well?
gunrunnerjohn posted:I've seen the folding steps, but I'm pretty sure there were not on a NYC set.
Was this set a K-Line larger version of the Lionel Lines Madison/Irvington cars?
Must be wild to see these cars on small track. Do they hit Lionel O31 switches?
BobbyD posted:
Was this set a K-Line larger version of the Lionel Lines Madison/Irvington cars?
Must be wild to see these cars on small track. Do they hit Lionel O31 switches?
Lionel did the 50th Anniversary set with a J3a Hudson and 18" versions of the Madison cars lettered for Lionel Lines. K-Line did essentially the same set with a J1e Hudson and the 18" cars lettered for New York Central. Both very nice examples of the engine and the cars but for me following NYC the K-Line set was my choice.
Pete
I have the "older" Heavyweights with the window strips. The negotiate O45, but are finicky at doing so - and have substantial overhang.
Interesting. The original question was about radius, and not one single post mentioned radius. Does using 3 rail mean you are not allowed to discuss mathematical radius and just use mfg descriptions for sectional track?
prrjim posted:Interesting. The original question was about radius, and not one single post mentioned radius. Does using 3 rail mean you are not allowed to discuss mathematical radius and just use mfg descriptions for sectional track?
Three rail curves are keyed by diameter. O54 would be 27" radius. Most common, IMO, Maybe O72, (36" radius). Smallest, ?? O27 (13.5" radius) Power (engines/locomotives) are listed by minimum curves they will negotiate. Same would apply to cars.
