I ordered two Atlas EMD SD-60's, they have the three truck wheels. I was wandering will these run on a 9-3/4 radius, without derailing. I plan on haveing a somewhat larger layout but the smaller areas of the track will be made from the 9-3/4 radius. thanks
I haven't the best news for you. No...not really. Your three truck or six axle diesels may make it around the curves but they won't like it. Those of us who have been here awhile, all started out by trying to live with the smallest or tightest curves. Eventually we wised up and you will too and push the curves out to 15" and 18". I'd go ahead and run them and if they give you trouble well then you know what to do. Your smaller four axle locomotives as in the SW8's or GP7's or 9's would do a better job. However, they won't look good negotiating the tight 9" curves. Your ok for now and when you get your larger layout, I dare say, I will hear a sigh of relief all the way from your place to mine in Big Bear, CA. > Enjoy your railroad.
I've never had less than 15" minimum radius, and some of the 3-axle locos wouldn't run through it smoothly. Some locos (e.g., Kato PAs) are fussy; others are less fussy. On the other hand, some of the older 4-axle diesels would run smaller than 7.5 inches--big flanges, and always undergauged. Really haven't tried it for many years--I suspect my diesels from today are probably happiest at greater than 15 inches.
I fear that using a small radius, as described, will be a problem for those engines. Anything you could do, to go larger, would be best. If you must go that small, set up a test track, before building anything permanent. See if it will work at all. My minimum, excepting a rare industrial track, has always been held at 16" radius. Usually in hidden, but easily accessible areas. Boxcab E50
I was just wandering if it was possible, And I do plan on it being larger. I may build a nice swiching yard, till I can make room for a larger track radius.
It's possiblem, maybe. I said maybe because I don't have any SD60s but I do have a SD50 (Atlas) and a few SD70MACs (Kato). They run on my 9-3/4 and 11 radius tracks on my 2'x4' portable layout just fine. I have not experienced any derailing and I use sectional Atlas Code 80 tracks. HOWEVER, like others have said, it ain't pretty! They are also noiser on the 9-3/4 tracks than the 11 tracks. Certianly possible.
See what I was thinking was, I was going to build a 2, or 2-1/2'X4' and have this part removable, portable. And the whole layout be 3'X6', and have the 2'X4' part removable, have rerailers cut in half, when the small 2x4 layout is inserted in ther middle of the larger layout the tracks will line up. two layouts in one. Why because I live in a trailer, a small trailer, with very little room. I want to small layout removable, so I can sit it one my dresser, or bed and operate it. And when I have more room, I can build the surounding layout, and just drop it in place.
