minimum radius

[sf 3751 sp 4449]

does anybody know what the minimum radius is for the daylight budd dome car and the santa fe pullman green passenger cars?

[ABC]

They run best on 22" radius or greater, running on anything less will create a great deal of overhang (meaning other trains or scenery could get clipped or hit) and would likely lead to derailments especially if the loco has a long tender. Using longer couplers can help prevent this sometimes.

[sf 3751 sp 4449]

what about 18 inch because my layout has a 18" radius and a 22" radius loop and to get to my freight yard i need to get past the 18"

[ABC]

what about 18 inch

Not the best idea, especially if you don't have great trackwork. What type of locos are you going to run them with? I personally have had some issues in the past with 18" radius, but they have run flawlessly on 22" and greater radius curves.

[sf 3751 sp 4449]

bachmann daylight and santa fe 4-8-4 and broadway limited 3751 but i found out that i can change it around to where i can get to the yard without touching a 18" radius curve

[ABC]

Well I guess if you are going to run a Northern and a GS-4 on 18 inch radius track you may as well run 85' passenger cars on 18" radius, but that is not a good recipe for smooth running, but if its really what you want to do...ultimately you should make the decisions and not let what I or anyone else says change your mind if you really have your heart set on something. My advice, take it for what it's worth, is to avoid running the 4-8-4's and 85 foot passenger cars on anything less than 22" radius.

[sf 3751 sp 4449]

k thanks for the help

[uncbob]

I have 50 FT Overland cars and while the run smooth at 24 radius they still  could stand improvement in the looks area

I would not even waste $ on 87 footers