In general the many real life logging locos could negotiate some pretty rough track, and I imagine some pretty tight turns. What will our models do? What sort of minimum radius turns will our HO logging locos negotiate?
Yesterday I got out a few of my logging locomotives to do a little measuring, and to see if they could operate on minimum radius tracks. I wanted to see what sort of minimum length turntable bridge might accommodate the locos I had. I chose a couple of my longer ones,... 1) 2-6-6-2 brass Toby 2) 2-6-6-2 Mantua 3) Rivarossi Heisler w/tender It appears as though the Heisler will require the longest turntable bridge,...8” should do it. I'm hoping to put in at least one 'gallows style' turntable at the tip of my logging peninsula The smallest radius fixed track I had was 18”r. It appeared that all 3 of these locos could negotiate that radius. Will they work on 15" radius? I don't have but one single piece of 15" sectional track. Perhaps I need to set up an experiment with flex track bent to 15"?
Most of the above will do 15" curves. I try never to go under 15" just because it looks better. Use that 15" track as a template if you use flex track. 18" is always best however.
Perhaps I don't have to do that testing myself,.. So it appears I can get the Mantua 2-6-6-2, the Heisler, and the Shay thru these 15" curves. That's good enough for me.
