For Atlas O54 Horizon passenger cars, since they are 21 inches long the online info says minimum radius for 3 rail is 54 inches, but minimum diameter for 2 rail is 36 inches. Does Atlas have the numbers reversed? Has anyone run these cars on 42" diameter 3 rail track?
Lad
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Just a guess, but I surmise the ad has "radius" & "diameter" mixed-up. I would guess these cars will operate on 3 rail 54" diamter circle of track or 27" radius. Obviously, a 21 inch car will look better on larger radius track.
I agree, very likely they have their diameter and radius reversed - it is always confusing, the nomenclature being to quote 2-rail requirements in radius but 3-rail in diamter. Atlas probably just tripped on that in this case.
The cars probably require at least 0-54 diameter curves when running on three rail and the two-rail requirement is for 36" radius or 72" diameter. That's pretty typical for there to be roughly a 1.5:1 ratio.
You guys are the experts but what about the different trucks/couplers affecting how tight the curve can be? I know when 2-rail engines have fixed pilots, they need a much gentler curve than even a 2-rail without the fixed pilot. Right?
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