Simple question, 400E and 3 cars, how long?

i can start you off... a 400E is 32" long, pilot to tender coupler.  i note your locomotive is a modern version, this is for an original.  the one dimension that may need fudging is the drawbar.  on the original, the engine-tender gap is ~1.25", though i can't imagine the repro being larger.

additionally... the TCA book lists the Pullmans at 18.75" and the obsv as 18.5".  note that the TCA book lists the 400E as 31.375", so for their length of the passenger cars, i might add an inch or so to account for the couplers.

cheers...gary

overlandflyer posted:

i can start you off... a 400E is 32" long, pilot to tender coupler.  i note your locomotive is a modern version, this is for an original.  the one dimension that may need fudging is the drawbar.  on the original, the engine-tender gap is ~1.25", though i can't imagine the repro being larger.

additionally... the TCA book lists the Pullmans at 18.75" and the obsv as 18.5".  note that the TCA book lists the 400E as 31.375", so for their length of the passenger cars, i might add an inch or so to account for the couplers.

cheers...gary

Ok thanks so if I go with the calculation of 32 for the engine and tender and say 19.5 for each car I should be safe. Really as long as all the trucks are on the track I'm ok, I just don't want it to look silly hanging off too much.

Thank you!

Lionel's 1937 catalog states that the outfit, #396W, was 91½" long.

Ron M

ron m posted:

Lionel's 1937 catalog states that the outfit, #396W, was 91½" long.

that seems to agree with the TCA book not including coupler length.

31.375" + 18.75" + 18.75" + 18.5" = ~87", but if you add 1.5" per coupling ( 87" + 4.5" = 91.5") , it turns out to be the catalog listed length.  looks like an 8' shelf would be perfect.

if you do run it, think about getting some large radius track from USA Track.
400e's look pretty ridiculous rounding Std42 curves.

cheers...gary

These shelves are 6' long. The cars are 20" end of coupler to end of coupler. So. 92" with have you covered.

PS Congrats on the win!

Dreyfuss Hudson posted:

PS Congrats on the win!

Thanks!

Thanks all, an 8' shelf is too long for my space but a 92-93" shelf should fit fine.

If you leave everything uncoupled they can be pushed a little tighter together. They actually will look better.

F&G RY posted:

If you leave everything uncoupled they can be pushed a little tighter together. They actually will look better.

Thanks Jim, I was thinking about that as well. I'm going to buy new shelves this weekend. I'll get some 8 footers then cut a few inches off so they fit in my limited space.