Supposing I'm making a horseshoe curve with O-36or O-48 fast track from Lionel. I know, I should use O-72, but space limits......Anyway, if i stick a 10" straight in the very middle of the arc, what would my overall radius be, and would it be enough to run a 4-8-4 steam loco?
Thanx
John
Replies sorted oldest to newest
John,
The radius does not change, you simply placed a 10" section in the center. The 10" section does not change the curve or the minimum size needed to run an engine over it.
I understand the desire to conserve, but finding the curves that match the minimum size you need for the engine you want to run over it will be the best bet.
Rich
so in other words, if I want to run the bigger engines, I need to bite the bullet and add on to my house. So I've room for a bigger layout. Thanks Rich.
John,
Every engine has a stated minimum curve it will work on. But you are not necessarily limited to "small" engines.
Consider Lionel's "LionMaster" series or MTH's RailKing steam engines. I have a couple of the RailKing articulated engines that can run fine on O-36, though my layout uses O-60. A RailKing BIG BOY will run on O-36!
The bigger full scale size engines are a different story, and require the larger curves.
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
