understanding min curve

Minimum the physical design of the car should handle. This takes into account stirrup steps, under floor details, flanges, etc.  The actual curve may be tighter.  The diameter at which the cars and engines look correct are in the eyes of the beholder.  Generally, the larger the better.  John

So let's say I'm looking at a esa44c diesel and the minimum curve is 054. Thats means it will not take an 036 curve on my track correct? It will derail or stop?

@Bigjon78 posted:

So let's say I'm looking at a esa44c diesel and the minimum curve is 054. Thats means it will not take an 036 curve on my track correct? It will derail or stop?

Correct...if not highly likely.

@Bigjon78 posted:

So let's say I'm looking at a esa44c diesel and the minimum curve is 054. Thats means it will not take an 036 curve on my track correct? It will derail or stop?

That means the diesel is designed for normal operation on curves with at least an O-54 rating.  Whether or not it can handle tighter curves depends on a lot of things.  O-54 down to O-36 is thirty percent degradation.  I am not an engineer but that seems like you're taking a big chance.  John

Thanks everyone for your input. I have a limited space so I'm dealing with a 36 curve and want to make sure I don't buy the wrong cars and locomotives.

If you have limited space and will be going with 36" curves or less, I'd suggest you stick with items in the traditional, semi-scale, or O27 categories (depending on manufacturer). Generally steer away from Lionel's Standard O or any manufacturers' 1:48 true O Scale models.

Thanks, I used scarm to design a 4 x12 track layout so I should be pretty good I already have lionel o guage track and the polar express just wanting to expand.

No O-54 equipment will handle O-36.  However, some O-45 rolling stock will take those curves'.. Alot depends on size/length of the equipment Be careful of anything longer than 14 inches.  Mainly passenger cars.  O-31 and O-36 have plenty to choose from.  Unfortunately, no locos over O-36 for your layout... and you will be fine'...🎅🏻

@Quarter Gauger 48 posted:

No O-54 equipment will handle O-36.  However, some O-45 rolling stock will take those curves'.. Alot depends on size/length of the equipment Be careful of anything longer than 14 inches.  Mainly passenger cars.  O-31 and O-36 have plenty to choose from.  Unfortunately, no locos over O-36 for your layout... and you will be fine'...🎅🏻

My PS1 Premier 611 J will do 036. Not well but it does it. Video here.

There's no upside for manufacturers specifying a larger curve than the engine or cars will reliably transition.  All that does is limit the potential market for the product in question, not a bright thing to do.  I normally figure they know something that I don't if I think the engine will run on tighter curves.  For instance, the Vision Line Big Boy locomotive will handle O60 curves with no problem, but the centipede tender derails on the O60 curve, hence the requirement for O72.  I was actually impressed that the BB made it around the curve, looked ugly doing it, but it got it done.

You can get a little more diversity with Lionel's LionMaster Line of products.  Big Boys, Challengers etc.  They run on O31... but, look a lot better on O36.  They match-up pretty well with conventional rolling stock and 15" passenger sets... etc.

(My Visionline GG1 will do O54... slow, scary, ugly ...but it will do it)

What's the manufacturer's part number for the loco?  Sometimes the specs are wrong.  I know of one instance where Lionel stated O-54 for a loco that runs O-31 curves.

@Tracker John posted:

What's the manufacturer's part number for the loco?  Sometimes the specs are wrong.  I know of one instance where Lionel stated O-54 for a loco that runs O-31 curves.

Yup... that's a for sure.  I think there's  a thread somewhere discussing *copy error*.

I thought I'd mention that, if you have smaller curves but want to run true scale locomotives, a lot of smaller steam locomotives can handle the O-31 curves. I have a 1:48 scale Lionel 2-8-0 that can handle those.

On the flip side, I buy a lot of used cars and locomotives (hey! stuff's expensive!), and if you buy the semi-scale or O-27 equipment, it's often very cheap compared to used 1:48 equipment.