Hello! I'm getting back into Model Railroading after very long hiatus. I've picked up an Arnold Alco S2 switcher and tried to run it on a loop of Kato R150/6" radius track (yes, I have essentially zero space for a layout hence the extreme curves). It can negotiate the tight curves, but it binds up and runs rough. Before I order the 7.2" R183 Kato curves, I was wondering if anyone knew if it will run cleanly on them? At this point I just want a loop of track to run at my desk so the boredom of working from home because of the pandemic is a little more bearable. Thanks!
I can't find what the S2's minimum radius is, but Kato's 216mm curves convert to 8-1/2" and that's about the tightest curve I can imagine the S2 would be somewhat comfortable on. Their 249mm 9-3/4" would be better. I think the track you have is designed for Kato's street trams? You might want to look into Kato's new Pocket Line Series at [ http://www.katousa.com/N/Pocket/index.html ]. These are to be very affordable and it looks as if they'd be happy on small radius curves.
My SW and 70 tonners run on that track so it depends on what the wheelbase is. The SW has a wheelbase of 30 N scale feet using a N scale rule. I have a pocket line steamer that runs excellent. The pocket line uses a mechanism that is either in the loco or one of the cars depending on which set it is.
Thanks John -- I was hoping you'd reply. You're one of our resident experts in this segment of N Scale.
I would not call myself anywhere near a expert. It is just that I have researched well the locos that will run on tight radius. One of the factors that will determine if the S-2 will run on the track is also how far the trucks swivel also and also wheel size. My layout features 8.5, 7 and 6 inch rad track. What also may be a determining factor is what model the S-2 is. The old S-2 was designed to run on European layouts that because of space limits sometimes were tight radius. Some European turnouts had 7 and 5/8ths inch radius. It is easy to do the research at home if you have a section of flex track. Simply layout a curve on a surface one can attach the flex to and then bend the flex to that radius and anchor it. Set the inside rail to the to the inscribed circle and leave a short straight section to set the loco on the rails. I can run steamers on my tight trackage but they are limited to three axle and small drivers thus all my steam is limited to three axle.
Thanks for the replies! Really appreciate it. I ordered the R183s and will hope for the best. I’ll post back here the results. Thanks again!
Just an FYI... The old Arnold S2 has a springs as a worm gears ! http://www.pmrr.org/Articles/RollingStock/ArnoldS2_08.jpg Mine runs rough and sounds like a coffee ginder. But I still love the little thing...
If it doesn't derail on 6" it won't derail on 7". But with spring drive , the sharper the curves, the more metal fatigue on the springs. They won't last forever. Does it sound like a coffee grinder on tangent (straight) track? Some do. That would indicate worn or just crappy gears that don't mesh well.
The North American prototypes with which I have had the best luck on that tight a curve are: The Kato NW-2 The B-mann 44 or 70 tonners. They do work better in pairs. The MDC or Athearn 2-6-0 or 2-8-0 And, Oddly enough, The E-R shark. No, this is not a typographical error, I did type "the E-R shark".
Following up: The Arnold S2 hates the R183 curves too. I suppose I need to search for a new locomotive. Thanks for the suggestions above - I'll check them out.
SW is an early EMD switcher. 70 tonner refers to a somewhat smaller GE switcher primarily used by heavy industries. He doesn't seem to believe the manufacturer of the model matters, but I disagree. I think more than one company modeled each.
So would this be be a good choice? https://www.ebay.com/itm/N-Life-Lik...-/333752380378?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292
The wheel base is the factor. Not over about 25 to 28 N scale feet measured from the center of each outside wheel at each end. With a steam engine 13 to 17 feet from the center of the end drivers. That limits steam to a six wheeler or 3 axles and very small drivers.
Wheelbase is not the only factor. No wheelbase is short enough if the trucks don't swivel. The locomotive you have is plenty short enough, but it isn't working because it has no u-joints in the drive line. Wheelbase is a bigger factor in steamers and three axle diesels, but not the only factor. Spookshow says that Life Like is a fine engine, but doesn't mention minimum radius. But John Moore did say above that his Life Like SW can handle those curves. http://www.spookshow.net/loco/llsw.html
