MTH DL 109/110 hanging over curves?

I don’t have any 042 curves. The pics below show it on a piece of 054. The center of the body in the middle barely shows the outside rail. It may go around an 042 but to me 054 looks to be the limit and still look respectable. These are long engines and even on my mainline with 072 minimum they would look way better with larger curves.

Dave,

Thanks for the photos and reply.  Do 18" or 70' passenger cars hang over more or less than your DL 109?

Here are 1.  Premier E8 engine on 0-42, 2.  70' passenger on 0-42.  They look bad on curves as you can see, but my layout is long and narrow, so I don't have a lot of curves to look at and they are at both ends of a long room.  I had sizing constraints, so 0-42 has been my limit.  The DLs are a few inches longer so it's not just a looks thing, but they need to clear corners without hanging over too much.  Otherwise, I would have to move the track and I do not want to do that.

The E-8s are my personal favorites (have two sets) and I really like the look of the DL 109/110.  They are such cool engines.

Mike

You can go to Ross Switches and print full sized track templates of all their switches and curves.  That's how I mocked up my upcoming subway platform track.  Ross Technical Info Link.

Yes, GRJ, I have those.  Thanks. I believe I used them for the template of my 0-42 curves in my photos and still used them when I planned out my new layout.

My track is in place, but this DL engine is pushing the limits of how much hang will work.  I don't want to buy one if it requires me to change my tracks.

Years ago, Steve actually gave me a set, in person, at a show.  It paid off for him, I hope, because I replaced all of my lionel switches with his and have since bought a crossover and a 4 way.  Great guy and great products.

Mike

Sorry I only 21” cars. If MTH states they will handle 042 then I’d go for it if it’s something you want. They are a unique looking engine. Being a NH fan they were a must have. If your curves are only at the end of your run and your only negotiating those 2. Shouldn’t be an issue looks wise. Big Boys are rated for 072. Lots of overhang with the long boiler. Doesn’t stop anyone from buying them.

Will the 18” cars negotiate your 042 ?    Do you have a wheelbase measurement on the 70ft. car. The 2 outermost axles. The blind wheels are the inner wheels on the DL109. I can get you a measurement if you think it will help. I would think the overhang would be pretty close between the 2.

@Dave_C posted:

Do you have a wheelbase measurement on the 70ft. car. The 2 outermost axles.

The measurement of my 18" passenger car (pictutred) from the outermost axles is 14 5/16".  It the DL 109 wider or narrower?

Thanks for helping me.  If it works, I'm going to put the DL 109/100 on top of my shopping list.

I’ve got the DL 109  at 14 1/8  axle to axle. I’m guessing as far as overhang between the trucks it’s pretty close to your passenger car.

@Dave_C posted:

I’ve got the DL 109  at 14 1/8  axle to axle. I’m guessing as far as overhang between the trucks it’s pretty close to your passenger car.

Dave,

That's perfect.  Thanks so much for taking the time to measure and respond.  Now I can seek a DL 109/110 set.

I bet your set with those 21" passenger cars looks pretty awesome.

Mike

I'm pretty sure I've got some Lionel 042 curves floating under my layout. I'll check later and measure the overhang of my PS3 DL109 on them if I do. I ran it on a friends layout with 036 curves and it ran fine btw, so 042 is fine with it.

I found two pieces of 042 and set my DL109 on them. Overhang is about 1&1/8" measured from the rail head. So give a minimum of about 1.5" from the outside of the curve, in case it rocks back and forth, and you should be fine.

If you can grab the last PS3 version. The startup sequence is killer.

Running on Atlas O54:

Peter

Another one on O54 with a better look at the engine:

Peter

Last one…..sorry that I could not find one with 18” cars…….

Peter

These are pictures of my new Milwaukee DL109/110 running on 0-42 curves.  They hang over as much as MTH E8s.  Fortunately, my main layout is long and narrow -- so not that many curves.  I liked this engine too much to not make it work  -- the Hiawatha version is a real gem.  And I like the Alco engine sounds A LOT -- as Peter's video shows.  Thanks for all who helped me with this decision process.

Mike

Sometimes I think buying this engine for the Alco engine sounds is excuse enough to own one. If you have ever been around an Aloc 244 prime mover, the engine sounds are absolutely what the engine sounds like and the idling up when you increase the throttle is even that much more realistic. Yesterday a friend came to the house with a DL109 painted in the New Haven cranberry paint scheme and it is one beautiful engine. also an excellent puller. You can see it on my layout under yesterday's "what trains did you run today" thread.    Bill