Weaver E8 Minimum Radius

At least 054.  However, they may negotiate an 042 curve.  I haven't tried.

Should be 031.

I was thinking 0-42.

I have two sets of the Weaver E8s. The box makes no statement on radius size and neither does the instructions (1 page). I got a set of them out. I only have one switch in a yard area that is O-42, everything else on the layout (curves, switches, etc) is O-72. I set one of the engines on the switch and moved it around manually. The engine will operate on an O-42 switch but with a lot of overhang. The trucks are three axle with the blind wheels on the center axle. I can't see any way the E8s could operate on an O-31 radius curve and would very likely hit the switch motor on the Lionel type switches.

Based on the truck configuration (motors inboard of the center axle) and swing, it looks like they can do O-42, but with the size of the locomotive (especially in A-B-A) it's not going to look/operate well on something that sharp. You're going to see the trucks swing way out, plus you'll get overhang on the ends of the A-Units. O-54 is a slight improvement, but you're better off with O-72 or O-96.

Note the Weaver E8 have minimal detail to prevent wide swings of the couplers and trucks, unlike the added detail thatMTH did to upgrade those units when MTH purchased the molds from weaver Models.

My widest curves are 054, so it sounds like it's doable.

I want to get one and paint it up (or have it painted) as a Frisco Racehorse unit--Comanche--because Miles Keogh was an ancestor of hers.

Thanks for all the info, guys!

The set does O.K. on O54, both switches and curves.  it has been on my O45 loop but  looks a bit out of place. 

E8 truck.  Blind center axle, and inward axle are powered. Traction tires on the right axle pictured.   Far left end axle is not powered.   Weaver had done a couple of trucks like this.  This seems to be the best/most stable with the blind drivers in the middle.  IMO.  There were others with the blind drivers on the end, some with plastic wheels. 

Large units, easy to do a motor change and electronics upgrade.  I added the radiophone antenna, and some other detail parts, electro-couplers , and lighting detail. From Weaver these had QSI conventional electronics. 

Some questioned the large motors without flywheels.   They draw a fair amount of current. 

Thanks muchly, Mike CT!