The outer loop around my layout I am going to have no less then a 22" radius curves and #6 turnouts. How big of locomotive can I run with out derailing all the time? I'd like to be able to run some six axle engines if they will handle the turns. Also how big of a steam loco can I run? Thanks Bill
How big of loco will make a 22" curve?
- Thread starter Oreboat
- Start date
I have some Dash 9's (C44-9W) and a couple of AC4400 that I have on 22's that they seem fine. IDK about an SD90MAc though? Those are awful big. 
alexander
Member
My SD80MAC can handle it. It looks ok, but it the pilots do hang out a bit. It doesn't effect operation though. most 6 axle diesels can handle it. I can't really think of any locomotive that can't. its the 80 foot railcars you need to watchout for.
I think most Steam locomotives can handle it, except for those with a long solid frame (2-10-4s, etc). In real life such locomotives would straighten out the rail if the radius was to tight. luckily for you, the models will only jump the tracks. However, i do not see any reason why a 2-10-4 couldn't handle it. usually the manufacturers will tell you what their model can handle. Articulateds ( Challengers, Big Boys, Alleghenies) should have no problem even on 18 radius, but they will look bizarre.
I think most Steam locomotives can handle it, except for those with a long solid frame (2-10-4s, etc). In real life such locomotives would straighten out the rail if the radius was to tight. luckily for you, the models will only jump the tracks. However, i do not see any reason why a 2-10-4 couldn't handle it. usually the manufacturers will tell you what their model can handle. Articulateds ( Challengers, Big Boys, Alleghenies) should have no problem even on 18 radius, but they will look bizarre.
Most HO steam loco manufacturers actually use a pretty un-prototypical method to allow big steam locomotives with 5 driver axles get around 22" radius curves... They make the center driver wheels blind, i.e. the center driver wheels have no flanges. Don't know if they made provisions for you to swap in driver wheels with flanges if you do run big enough curves though.
Personally, I think small locomotives look better on small pikes with 22" curves anyway.
Personally, I think small locomotives look better on small pikes with 22" curves anyway.
i use to run my Athearn UP DD40 model on 22 inche but it was a tight fit, but what a road switcher lol
I run a bunch of SD40-2's on 18" they move really well to on 22". I'm sure you could run bigger on 22" track.
I had a trainmaster run on 18" curves at one time, but it didn't look good doing it. The 22" curves on the other part of the layout made it look okay and no operation problems
The 90MAC RPP frame with Athearn trucks dont do well on 22, they grossly overhang on ends and middle. They look alright on 27, but prob need 30 to look prototypical:thumb:
cidchase
Active Member
Here's an informative thread on prototype blind drivers::thumb:
http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?10,1165085
They also double articlulate Big Boy and Challenger, so that they can get around 18" curves. They look bad, but run well on these sharp curves. The prototypes were single articulated, and scaled down to HO, the Big Boy would need a 40" radius MINIMUM if it were made prototypically.
NYNH&H said:
they make one in brass like that. I think my Lionel Challenger has a provisions for making the second driver set stay in one spot for realistic running.