Thanks to all those that have written responses to previous questions. I am new to N scale and have decided on a layout and have finished drawing it on my benchwork. My question is: Is the 12 inch radius suggested by the 101 trackplan book adequate (I plan on using Dash 40's and SDMAC70-90's hauling articulated auto carriers and intermodals.)? Thanks in advance.
If you are going to be using Kato, in my opinion they won't have a problem. If we're talking pre-current Atlas like my SD60M, they might slow down on the curves but might not. I've gotten my SD60M around some 10" radius curves on a test loop and if it weren't for the slowing problem, it would have no real issues. It may just be because it was a used loco that I bought off *bay, but my Atlas GP40 does it too, to a lesser degree. Neither of them have any trouble with derailing or anything. In my opinion, Kato is the best. The new Atlas locos with the slow speed motors might be on par with Kato, however, and I haven't tested one myself to know for sure.
Most equipment will probably "operate" but operations will be tricky; reduced speed, poor coupling, impossible to backup, etc. and long cars will look awfull. All cars will have to have weight added, very few cars come properly weighted. I would recommend never using curves less than 18" if at all possible. Noting that you are in Iowa, I would suggest getting to know the guys in the Des Moines Ntrack club. They are a good bunch and I am sure they would share experiences even if you are not interested in Ntrak. They have a web site: http://www.desmointrak.org/
If I remember right from reading one of the older John Armstrong books, 12" in N scale would be OK for GP's and cars up to about 50'. For the longer cars and for 6 axle locomotives, most of the recommendations I've seen say 18", both for better operations (no hitting inside corners of overhanging equipment) and for appearance.
Hi Jeff I think you will find that the overhangs look a bit funny. I built a layout in the UK that had 9" radius and the 6 axle locos deffinately slowed down due to friction, although they did go round.. 4 axle no problem. The danger is if you are using flexitrack, because its very easy to lay flexitrack to a curve but to have one small spot tighter than standard .. and any reduction of the guage means stuff derails and bounces off. If possible.. what I did was to use flexitrack where the visible track was, but to link this to set-track pre-formed radius curved tracks where I had tight corners. I think that 12" will just about be okay.. at least I hope it will.. I have some at 11.25" on my new plan and I am hoping that with a little guage widening (easing the rails apart slightly.. very slightly during track laying) and careful track laying I will get 6 axle locos round Its going to be close Regards
