Switch radius vs locomotive radius

No, minimum radius is just that- the minimum. A switch with a curved radius is a curve- if less than the minimum it will derail.

Some engines may make a curve but others no. On turnouts, it depends where the motor is located. Larger engines may hit the motor of the turnout.. Go to a train show or club. Maybe you will find cheaper but larger turnouts.

I haven't tried with switches but with curves I can say that approach does not work. Even for what seems like a short stretch, the sudden bend is too much.

You never mentioned what brand of track your using. I’m not that well versed in sectional track. I know Lionel Fastrack has both manual and electric versions. Big difference in price. If it’s a seldom used switch and not part of the mainline. Would the manual ones work for you ?

There are a lot of things you can save money on in the hobby. I don’t believe trackwork should be one of them. I’m all for saving money and looking for good deals. You will have the layout a long time. Build it the best way possible and sacrifice some other purchases.

Track and switches are one place I didn't try to cut corners.

What @Vernon Barry said.

I wouldn't do it but if you can mock it up and test it, that would work for what you have now.  That does not guarantee it will work for anything new in the future. 

Maybe eliminate a siding and therefore a switch.  I know... but if you leave the real estate you can add it when the budget allows.

Tony

Also depends on the equipment. Diesels are more forgiving than Steamers. Rolling stock can be a toss up. The longer the car (like passenger cars) the  larger radius they will need. Low hanging details, tanks, electrical boxes, etc., will often hit switch machines if the radius is too tight.

I'd do some mock ups and test what you want to do. Especially test a pair of switches back to back and see how the engines/ cars handle the S curve.

I've found most equipment can tolerate one size down from the spec'd rating, (eg- an 054 engine will handle 042 curves)

Bob

Wow, so many great ideas. Many thanks. Good idea to leave room to swap in stuff later on as budget allows.

OGR Rocks

It can be frustrating to us forumites who've seen this question about acceptable radii come up very, very, very frequently.  To us the answer is quite simple, and the best suggestions can be seen up above in this thread, and then repeated endlessly, and yet someone will still ask the question "Will this locomotive successfully make it around O-xx (fill in the blank) curves?".

Most of us are amateurs and still rabid model train hobbyists in spite of it -- and kids being kids many started pushing their toys to the limit, and beyond, long ago at an early age.

One observation coming from this is that we're constantly trying to break the laws of physics.

Coming from a professional engineer, for whom playing with my electric trains literally launched my career ambitions, know that it doesn't stop here.  Once you're addicted, no matter how much scientific and technical education and training you may get early on, over the following years the urge to push beyond reality still festers within you.

The engine won't successfully negotiate curves tighter than it can handle because physics won't allow it.

Should we keep pushing on in spite of this?  Yes.   Keep asking the question?  Most Definitely.

You never know.  There are many, many innovators in love with this hobby.  Someday our collective efforts may result in an outcome that will thoroughly and totally surprise you.

Ya learn something new everyday.

Mike