Locos V curves
- Thread starter nico
- Start date
chris m01
Registered
Steve's right to mention the coupling type but the stock used can also have an effect.
I use USAT and Bachmann knuckle couplers. Whilst my SD40 and SD70 will negotiate fairly tight bends they will always throw any attached wagon of the track with curves of less than 10ft diameter.
At 10ft diameter I had occasional problems with USAT boxcars but any Bachmann wagons attached direct to these locos would be thrown off the track.
My minimum diameter is now 12 foot and both these locos give no problems at all when pulling USA Trains box cars or grain wagons. I do get occasional problems with the SD70 throwing Bachamnn hoppers off the track on one of my 12 ft diameter turns but not on the other - probably down to my track laying.
All the shorter USAT and Aristo locos are absolutley fine on 12ft radius. I don't recall any issues with my Aristo SD45 but this hasn't been tried with lots of different wagons (yet). Don't have a Dash 9 but would be willing to take on the onerous task of testing !
I use a combination of LGB and Aristo middle size points (R3 and 5ft dia) and these don't cause any problems. This is probably because they are only a short section of curve so don't cause the same overhang as a long curve does.
So in summary I would recommend a minimum of 12ft diameter curves and r3 points if you want to be able to run all American diesels.
I use USAT and Bachmann knuckle couplers. Whilst my SD40 and SD70 will negotiate fairly tight bends they will always throw any attached wagon of the track with curves of less than 10ft diameter.
At 10ft diameter I had occasional problems with USAT boxcars but any Bachmann wagons attached direct to these locos would be thrown off the track.
My minimum diameter is now 12 foot and both these locos give no problems at all when pulling USA Trains box cars or grain wagons. I do get occasional problems with the SD70 throwing Bachamnn hoppers off the track on one of my 12 ft diameter turns but not on the other - probably down to my track laying.
All the shorter USAT and Aristo locos are absolutley fine on 12ft radius. I don't recall any issues with my Aristo SD45 but this hasn't been tried with lots of different wagons (yet). Don't have a Dash 9 but would be willing to take on the onerous task of testing !
I use a combination of LGB and Aristo middle size points (R3 and 5ft dia) and these don't cause any problems. This is probably because they are only a short section of curve so don't cause the same overhang as a long curve does.
So in summary I would recommend a minimum of 12ft diameter curves and r3 points if you want to be able to run all American diesels.
The Devonian
Registered
A direct answer regarding radii/dia. of curves would be use the widest that you can achieve. Make the optimum use of the space you have and encircle a garden rather than cramming the railroad to one side or just one part.
It depends on the type of railroad you wish to emulate: the smaller European model seems happy on smaller dia. curves more so than the larger American models. I have 8ft. dia. and even that can look sharp sometimes - dependent on stock that is in use.
I don't feel that large locos and rolling stock suit the smaller size curves, however plants and scenery can help to camouflage unrealistic curves somewhat.
It depends on the type of railroad you wish to emulate: the smaller European model seems happy on smaller dia. curves more so than the larger American models. I have 8ft. dia. and even that can look sharp sometimes - dependent on stock that is in use.
I don't feel that large locos and rolling stock suit the smaller size curves, however plants and scenery can help to camouflage unrealistic curves somewhat.
Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
The nub of this problem is that the locos have body mounted couplers, and the stock usually (at 1:22.5 or 1:29) has bogie mounted couplers. (The 1:20.3 stock has body mounted couplers)spike said:
On 8ft bends, the bogie mounted coupler will follow the curve, but the body mounted coupler may still throw out too wide. You can cometimes cure it with an additional pivot in the coupler bar. This will help with running, but will make auto coupling impossible.
I have managed to mix and match body & bogie mounted couplers on rolling stock on 8ft curves, but I do not have any 1:29 diesels which, because of their length, tend to have a wider throw on the body mounted coupler.