(steam engine) turn radius?

TrainSupreme Jun 20, 2009

  1. TrainSupreme

    TrainSupreme New Member

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    Hi! I'm very new to all of this and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with all the info. I hope you guys don't mind helping me. I'll probably be asking a lot of simple questions as I start with my layout. I live pretty far out from the city so the closest hobby store is about 70 miles away.
    - How big should the minimum turn radius be for steam engines?
    - I see there are different size switches, is there a certain size switch you wouldn't go under for steam? Or maybe it doesn't matter?
    - I know these questions are probably dumb... I've been buying trains for quite awhile just because I like them and am just now getting into actually using them. Now I just hope they actually work when I get my track done. :parghh:

    Thank you very much! You guys and your posts have already been a big help and inspiration for me.
     
  2. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    Welcome to TrainBoard.

    The minimum turn radius for steam loco's can vary and this is due to the size of each steam locomotive.
     
  3. maxairedale

    maxairedale TrainBoard Member

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    Hi,

    Can you provide some information about what steam loco(s) you have? As posted above the minimum radius depends on the loco.

    Gary
     
  4. skipgear

    skipgear TrainBoard Member

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    Small switchers and short wheelbase steam can deal with some amazing tight radius track. We have a store display layout that has 6" radius turns on it and the best running loco I have for it is a Bachman 0-6-0 switcher. It runs better than any of the small switchers.

    On the flipside, I have a Brass H-8 2-6-6-6 that requires a 13" minimum to even have a chance but runs best on 18" minimum.

    Most production equipment now will handle an 11" radius. It may not look the best or perform at is max but it will go around it. The bigger the better for all loco's.
     
  5. Mark Watson

    Mark Watson TrainBoard Member

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    The general rule of thumb is, the larger the better. The absolute minimum, or the smallest they will perform on, for 99% of N scale steam locos is 11 inches. Now keep in mind, that 4-6-6-4 is going to look like a clown riding a 6 inch tall bike going around that curve. I find most people depending on space like to keep their radius above 18", or 22-26" minimum where space is no issue.

    For switches, you're looking at the same idea.

    I assume you're beginning to plan a layout. Some other things you might want to consider while looking at minimum radius and turnouts is what type of track you'll use. Different brands of track offer different types of turnouts and radius options. For instance, Kato Unitrack only offers a #4 and #6 turnout where using code 80 flex/sectional track has a much wider range of turnouts and you can find/build custom built turnouts.
     
  6. oldrk

    oldrk TrainBoard Supporter

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    Guys, Im not the expert on this.How about some guidelines on what radius and # turnouts for different sized steamers. As an example I might have the old Allegheny on the main and the B&O docksider in the yard. Obviously the docksider wont have any problems with any size switch but lets say its the 0-10-0 the C&O ran in yard service. Or more likely a 2-8-0 like Bachmann sells. Help a brother out!!
     
  7. Mark Watson

    Mark Watson TrainBoard Member

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    Well, if we wanted, we could write up a whole mathematical formula to give precise results depending on each locomotives wheelbase, but if you just take a piece of flex, and pin it down in different radii and test your steamers over it, you'll actually have fun while figuring it out. :p Also, you'll be able to factor in the look.

    For turnouts, I would say a good chunk of it depends on the turnout quality. You could have a #12 turnout, but if the points are crap, even a 0-6-0 would derail across it, and if you had a #4 but the points were perfect, you could run the Big Boy through it with out a hiccup (I've ran the Challenger through unitrack #4s hundreds of times with no problem ever). Also, the speed at which the train will take the turnout should be a factor. Faster trains require larger turnouts.

    As said before, most N scale steam (of any size) will operate on 11 inch radius and #4 or #5 switches. The bigger the better, but it's all up to you.
     
  8. TrainSupreme

    TrainSupreme New Member

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    I was just thinking of it operationally, I didn't ever consider how the trains would actually look. Thanks again
     
  9. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    When it comes to curves and turnouts in model railroading the general rule is that bigger is always better. That being said we are not all blessed with acres of space so some compromises have to be made. So my advice is to use the largest curve radius you can fit as well as the largest turnout. I went to Ngauge from HO because an 18 inch radius curve in HO was considered to be the minimum radius. But in N gauge an 18 inch radius is considered to be a broad radius. I have since gone on to Ntrak with its even broader 24-32+ inch radius curves. Engines and cars not only look better but they tend to operate better.
     
  10. Vicky56

    Vicky56 TrainBoard Member

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    I would have to disagree with some here, but like all things, it boils down to your own experience. I have a 2-6-6-2 that has absolutely no trouble negotiating 9 3/4" or the smallest turnout in Peco and it does not look odd when going around curves unlike 85' passenger cars which do look odd.
     

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