Scale ALCO PA's

They will run on 031 curves (I know because I own this loco and have some of these curves on my layout) but the overhang looks odd. 😉

Thanks, that's surprising because a friend has lots of derailing on his 0-42 curves. Any thoughts on improving the performance?

I had a set of MTH ones, and I know yours are Lionel, but they may have similar drives, so I will mention this.   Mine only had two axles powered on each truck, the axle nearest the fuel tank on each truck was an idler, and it had no or very light springing.    It tended to pick switch point and frogs.    I put a shim above the axle to keep it down on the rail, and it cured the problem.

JP - Being an Alco PA diesel this loco has six-wheel trucks.  That said, to enable the loco to navigate tighter curves, on Lionel's model the innermost wheels on each of the trucks are blind (ie. flangeless), so these particular wheels basically swing/drag over top of the track momentarily as they're circling the curve.  This is what allows the diesel to go around 031 curves.

Other than that, the engine comes equipped with dual can motors (not Lionel's venerablePullmor that requires a slightly higher degree of maintenance) and also has traction tires.  Consequently my engine has run fine with the normal basic maintenance I have provided over the years.

Regarding the derailing problem your friend has experienced on his 042 curves, perhaps it relates to his track geometry.

Thanks gentlemen, I appreciate your info and suggestions!

JPThut