What locomotives will do an 18 inch radius?

[DAndrews]

I am currently looking at designs for a new HO layout.  One of the plans I saw has an 18 inch radius curve (semicircle flat with no grade).  I hope the group can advise me which Spectrum equipment will negotiate this curve without derailment or other problems.  The locomotive list is Spectrum steamers: 2 truck climax, 3 truck shay, 4-6-0, 2-8-0, 2-10-0, 4-8-2 (light mountain), Diesel SD45 and Spectrum 85 foot Heavy Weight coaches.  Thanks in advance for your replies.  Best, D.

[WoundedBear]

You should have no problems with any of the steamers. I don't model diesel and I use short old time passenger cars, so I can't speak to any of those models.

Sid

[K487]

DAndrews:

My thinking is that the 2-10-0 MIGHT/PROBABLY WILL have a problem.  Less so if the center drivers are blind.

K487

[Len]

Just about all of the 85' passenger cars, by any manufacturer, recommend 22" minimum radius. Even if you can jigger them to go around 18" curves, the overhang will be really bad. For 18" radius curves 72', or shorter, passenger cars are normally recommended. And yes, 72' cars are prototypical, the RF&P had a number of them, as did several other roads. The 72' cars available may, or may not, have the correct window layout for what they're supposed to represent, but the length is right.

Len

[ACY]

I am currently looking at designs for a new HO layout.  One of the plans I saw has an 18 inch radius curve (semicircle flat with no grade).  I hope the group can advise me which Spectrum equipment will negotiate this curve without derailment or other problems.  The locomotive list is Spectrum steamers: 2 truck climax, 3 truck shay, 4-6-0, 2-8-0, 2-10-0, 4-8-2 (light mountain), Diesel SD45 and Spectrum 85 foot Heavy Weight coaches.  Thanks in advance for your replies.  Best, D.

The 2-10-0 & 4-8-2 are not well suited for 18" radius, the SD45 has 6 axles and would also not be advisable, finally 85' coaches are too long for 18" radius and would have a large overhang.
The Climax, Shay, 4-6-0 and 2-8-0 will work fine.
Any diesels with 4 axles or less work fine on 18" radius. Any steam with 4 or 6 drive wheels is fine on 18" radius, the 2-8-0 can be borderline, anything larger than a 2-8-0 needs at least 22" radius.
The Spectrum Heavyweight coaches I have, have 22" minimum radius listed.

If at all possible you should use larger radius, the broader the curves the better it will look and run.

[rogertra]

I'd not use 18" with the 4-8-2.

1)  It might not like 18" curves.

2)  If it does like 18" curves, it will look silly going round them.

In fact, I only have one curve near 18" and that's an industrial spur leading into an industrial building and that's restricted to the 0-6-0 yard engine and no freight car over 40ft because, everything else looks wrong taking such a sharp curve.


Shown here: -





But I realise some people do have space restrictions.


Cheers

Roger T.

[WoundedBear]

I know the 2-10-0 will.....I just repaired a dead one for one of the local club members. I test ran it on my 18" curves with no troubles at all.....flat and graded curves. The thing is barely longer than my small drivered 4-6-0's, and the center driver is blind. Also has the two hole drawbar which is usually indicative of 18" ability.

I know the others will because I own those models. The 4-8-2 was the only one I was guessing about....I compared it to a Broadway Ltd 2-8-2 I just repaired and ran on my 18" curves also.

Like people here say.....your mileage may vary....lol.

Sid

[ACY]

I know the 2-10-0 will.....I just repaired a dead one for one of the local club members. I test ran it on my 18" curves with no troubles at all.....flat and graded curves. The thing is barely longer than my small drivered 4-6-0's, and the center driver is blind. Also has the two hole drawbar which is usually indicative of 18" ability.
I know the others will because I own those models. The 4-8-2 was the only one I was guessing about....I compared it to a Broadway Ltd 2-8-2 I just repaired and ran on my 18" curves also.
Like people here say.....your mileage may vary....lol

I happen to own three Russian decapods, two of which derail on 18" radius occasionally,  but run flawlessly on 22" radius. I have four Bachmann 4-8-2s and none of them run reliably on 18" radius.
Some 2-10-0s can negotiate 18" radius but not all due to small variences in production.

[RAM]

I would go with the small steam and short trains.  If it look better you are going to like it better.

[Trainman203]

Only these:   2 truck climax, 3 truck shay, 4-6-0, 2-8-0.  The rest will at minimum look ridiculous overhanging at their ends,  and will also probably not operate properly on 18" radius curves.

[electrical whiz kid]

I side with Trainman on this approach.  To me, if you must have smallish curves like this, maybe try to lay in your curve on an easement set-up-and be meticulous to a fault in installing track-work!.  Another thought would be to put such curves in tunnels (short...tunnels), behind scenery, etc.  The locomotive may look "ridiculous" but the curve will accommodate most locos in HO scale; and if what you have works, then the cosmetic approach would be OK.

Rich C.

[Irbricksceo]

I run, without problems, the 2-8-0, 2-10-0 (multiple versions, all fine, and even on the close drawbar setting), the 4-4-0, the 2-8-2 (the SY mikado, don't have the new one), and the 0-6-0. The 2-8-4 I have will do it too but I have a feeling that not all will and it looks kind of odd.

[Irbricksceo]

This gets asked a lot.  Ought to be a FAQ topic.  Along with nickel silver vs steel rail .

Ya got that right!

If it was then it should be "can run" not "should be according to my opinion". I've, as previously mentioned, run 0-6-0, 2-8-0, 2-10-0, and even the 2-8-4 on 18. Just because some people prefer not to let locomotives w/ more than 3 driver axles run on 18, doesn't mean they CAN'T. The 2-8-0 and 2-10-0 run just fine on 18 inch, even on the close drawbar, and they look fine doing it. the 2-8-4 looks odd, I'll admit, but it still tracks well most of the time (though I have had a driver jump the rails on rare occasions).

For reference, here are two pictures I took ages ago of the 2-8-4 and 2-8-0 on 18 and 22