Radius for 2-10-2 USRA

[Jimmy8t1]

Hi I have just bought a 2-10-2 USRA light steam loco and it derails on my curves so am wondering what the minimum radius is required for this loco to run on? Thanks cheers Jimmy

[sd24b]

anything under 22" rad.  and the engine will not like you very well.  what size curves do you have?  Phil

[Jimmy8t1]

Hi Phil,
    Thanks for your reply  My curves make up just over a 3 foot circle  I have no idea what that works out in inches lol    I have a 2-8-4 Berkshire proto 2000 that runs around them no problem and have had a DD40AX run around as we'll with no dramas    Thanks cheers Jimmy

[rbryce1]

A three foot diameter, measured from the centerline of the track is an 18" radius.  The Bachmann catalog recommends a minimum of a 22" radius for the 2-10-2, which, from the center of the tracks would be a 44" diameter.  If your 2-8-4 is actually running on the 18" radius, that one extra axle may be your undoing here.  Even the 2-8-4 Berkshire is recommended to have 22" curves by Bachmann.

[Jimmy8t1]

Thanks Rbryce1. Ok cool so I need to make my oval 4 foot wide to run them on happily, if I can work out how to put a pic up or a clip of my Berkshire running around my track I will thanks for the comments and advice very much lay appreciated chat again soon.      Jimmy

[Doneldon]

jimmy-

You'll find that 22" radius curves will fit comfortably on a four-foot table, with just a little space for some scenery along
the edge. This may sound trivial, but you can shift the oval so it isn't square on the table. Start one end's curve right at
the edge of the table on one end and the reverse on the other end. This will make your long straightaways run at an angle
to the edge of the table, which looks better than parallel lines. The inch or so you get when the tracks parallel the edge
aren't wide enough to catch trainwrecks so you won't be giving any safety margin away.

                                                                                                                                      -- D

[wjstix]

22" radius make a circle 44" wide, so should fit on a 4-foot wide table (which is 48" wide).

Be sure that everything is OK on the engine. Many Spectrum engines have an apron behind the cab that connects the engine and the tender. With the engine on the track, you should be able to reach in with a pencil or screwdriver and raise the apron all the way up. If not, it could be catching on the 'lip' on the front of the tender, lifting up the engine and making it derail more easily.