I know they are rated for 0-42, and they won't negotiate 0-31 curves without derailing each other. But will they handle 36" FT?
Rod
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I checked two MTH Premier New York Central heavyweight passenger cars with three-axle trucks on Atlas O-36 curved track. Body length on the cars is 17 inches and about 18¼ inches across coupler pulling faces.
Photos show that the trucks were able to pivot such that the wheels were on the rails. They coupled properly and made it around the Atlas O-36 curve.
I did not run them behind a locomotive and never run them on the O-36 inner loop of the layout. I run them only on the O-54 and O-72 loops.
MELGAR
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Sometimes the minimum just doesn't look right even if it works. I have 054 3 rail and run Rail King passenger cars. In my opinion 18-inch cars look better on 072. Other than that, they are toys and it's your layout-your choice.
When the manufacturer says that a car needs O42 track, that means that it failed at least one test on O36 track. The failure could have been an O36 curved section, an O36 switch or an O36 "S" curve. Until you test all possible scenarios, you cannot say that it is all right to run the car on O36.
I remember issues with the MTH 18" cars on my old configuration that had some O36 curves, so I'd say that it's a big maybe. I actually don't have many 21" cars with my O72 and larger curves since I think the 18" cars look about right on O72.
@John in California posted:When the manufacturer says that a car needs O42 track, that means that it failed at least one test on O36 track. The failure could have been an O36 curved section, an O36 switch or an O36 "S" curve. Until you test all possible scenarios, you cannot say that it is all right to run the car on O36.
John, you are correct, I was only speaking of aesthetics. Having many layouts from 027 to 084 switches and "S" curves were always an issue when pushing the manufacturers spec limits. Sometimes they're not even correct when it comes to backing a train up through switches. Overhang problems also need to be considered.
@MELGAR posted:I checked two MTH Premier New York Central heavyweight passenger cars with three-axle trucks on Atlas O-36 curved track. Body length on the cars is 17 inches and about 18¼ inches across coupler pulling faces.
Photos show that the trucks were able to pivot such that the wheels were on the rails. They coupled properly and made it around the Atlas O-36 curve.
I did not run them behind a locomotive and never run them on the O-36 inner loop of the layout. I run them only on the O-54 and O-72 loops.
MELGAR
Thanks! Interesting to know they will make it, but they do look pretty ridiculous. 
Thanks all for the input!
Rod
