locomotive wheels

What is the largest wheel scheme that can safely go around an 18" radius? my 0-6-0 does fine but cant pull more than 5 cars. I need a nice steam locomotive that can pull at least 10 cars and can navigate an 18" radius. Any suggestions?

 

I agree, if you are comfortable with removing the shell, or even if you can remove the cylinder saddle, you can often get formed lead into a dome or two and even into the cylinders if you are careful. One has to be careful of over-balancing the engine, of course.

If you would just as soon get a second larger engine, a Trix Mikado is able to get around 18" radius curves, and so is a Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0. Depending on the railroad you are interested in, even their Spectrum N&W J is supposed to be able to negotiate 18" curves, although I am unable to support that contention. They sell a freight version of the J that comes packaged with a spare water tender. I use that tender behind my Y6b.

I would guess that a Spectrum ten-wheeler (a 4-6-0) or their Decapod (2-10-0) is also able to get around 18" curves. Some might shy away from a ten-coupled steamer, but the Decapod had tiny drivers set close together, and so does the Spectrum model.

 

The Bachmann 2-8-0 Spectrum would be a fine engine choice. I also have the 4-8-2Heavy mountain that does fine on 18in. You do have to have good track work for this to work. The 4-8-4,s and the J may give you problems on 18in . The K-4 4-6-2 Pacific will also run fine. Most of the Spectrum steamers will give you good pulling power.
The IHC 4-8-2 Mountain and 2-10-2 will also pull well and they are made to run on 18in curves.

Bob

 

wheel truck

i just went and changed my bachmann plastic wheels to walthers proto 2000 metal wheel sets .the metal ones roll but not as freely as the plastic wheels. they are 33".the guy at the hobby shop said they would be ok.

 

The largest steamer for 18" radius really depends on the scale size of the drivers and how many drivers are on the rigid part of the frame.

A 4-8-2 (or any other x-8-x wheel arrangement) with drivers scaled for about 60" will probably be okay. As the driver size goes up so does the wheelbase of the rigid frame and that drives up the minimum radius requirements. I have not had any problems with locomotives that represent this size drivers.

As the drivers get bigger, the radius has to increase. Northern's like SP 4449 or UP 844 with scale 80" drivers will need 22" radius to work properly.

Some Mallet locomotives may work just fine on 18" radius and they can be very big compared to others but with two rigid frames at pivot under the boiler, the small radius track is okay. A 2-6-6-2 or even a 2-8-8-2 might work so long as the driver size is small and the model allow for the front and rear engine frames to rotate enough. Bachmann makes a nice 2-6-6-2 that handles 18" radius curves and it's pulls pretty good also.

 

If the metal wheels aren't free spinning, then you need to gently remove some material from the dimples that hold the wheels in so there is more room to free spin.

 

Sorry everyone, I finally got my computer fixed. Ok, I eyed up my loco. and I dont feel confident enough to take it apart. Since when I took the 2 small screws out of it's underbelly,.. all the wheels fell off. That was fun to put back. Works though. I bought a reaming tool for the trucks, but, the man at the hobby shop introduced me to Intermountain Railways wheelsets, and I fell in love. I didnt need to use it. I put the wheels on all 10 of my rolling stock, and, my little 0-6-0- crapper pulled all of them. I only want to buy 1 really good locomotive, so taking my time and probably spending some nice dough, is fine. The funny thing is, the man at the hobby shop mentioned a Loco. to me for 18" curves, but a person on this sight said they cannot do it. So i'm pretty much looking for people who have actually owned steamers that they ran on 18; curves and never had a problem.. Thank you to everyone who has helped me with my questions.