My main loop is 072 but one corner of the eight is 054 (three sections) to accommodate the angle of the crossover/over-n-under of the double loop. Will this one corner of 054 damage the J1e wheels (or any other large engine)? Also, I run my trains (two or three on the big loop)in one direction to best let the visitors see the individual cars; is it necessary/desirable to occasionally reverse the direction the train runs to prevent wheel damage on one side of the flanges?
Wally
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The K-Line J1e will negotiate 031. Doesn't look good but it runs.
Pete
You need to be more specific on make and model.
Most hudson J1e's with 6 axle tenders are good for o-42 with the exception of sunset /3rd rail offerings or the PT (centipede tender) hudson that MTH offered in the past.
I believe the 3rd rail 6 axle tender is rated o-54, 3rd rail and MTH centipede tenders are rated o-72.
It probably won't bind but you should check out any overhang. There is a big difference in the ability to negotiate a tight curve, negotiate without tearing out/knocking down stuff along the ROW, and actually looking good while negotiating that same curve.
It's an MTH 20-3059-1, 27" long with the big/heavy PT tender. She's a beauty and I love to show her off w/ the NYC heavyweights to visitors. I don't want to damage her.
I have this engine. Its a beauty but 072 is minimum diameter probably due to the tender.
Pete
Yea thats the o-72 tender I mentioned above. I suppose if you can reach that section of track you could try rolling the tender around that curve by hand with the power off and see how bad it is.
If it seems to be somewhat "do-able" ( the tender wheels aren't binding or jumping the track) you could connect it to the loco and run the loco and tender through very slowly.
Make sure you pay particular attention to the drawbar which could be the biggest problem hitting the steps of the tender or lower detail on the loco . The loco alone should be able to manage it without an issue.
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