radius of engines

[indian_hills_r_r]

does anyone know where I can find a listing that tells me the min. radius of every engine made by Bachmann.

[ACY]

I don't think any such list exists.
However, if you ask me about specific locomotives I can tell you the manufacturer's recommended minimum radius.

[indian_hills_r_r]

thanks, acy. I have a long list but these two for now.  they are a 2-6-6-2 articulated and a 2 and 3 truck hiesler , shay or climax. my mains are 36" but other areas the radius will be smaller. 

[ACY]

2-6-6-2 22", but for aesthetics and to be safe I would use at least a bit wider.
Climax 22"
Shay 18"
Heisler (couldn't find it, but would say 22" to be safe)

Here is a list of others that were compiled previously:
4-2-0 Pegasus 18"
0-4-0 Dewitt Clinton 15"
4-8-4 22"
2-8-4 22"
4-8-2 22"
2-10-4 22"
2-10-2 22"
2-8-0 22"
2-6-2, 2-6-0, 0-6-0 & 0-6-0T 18"
4-4-0 (both) 18"
DDA40X 22"
GP50, GP40, GP38-2, GP35, GP30, GP7 18"
SD40-2, E33 22"
RF-16 Shark, B23/30-7, U boat, H15/16-44, Ft-A/B, GE70 ton, E60CP 18"
GE 44 ton, MDT plymouth, 15"
PCC, Brill trolley, cable car, gandy dancer, high railer (MOWs) 15" radius
2-10-0 22"
SD-45 22"
8-40C(W) 22"

[indian_hills_r_r]

thanks, acy. that's a good start for me

[WoundedBear]

Climax is advertised by Bachmann to handle 15 inch......both the 2 and 3 truck versions. Shay will do the same. The Heisler.....if Riv/Hornby.....will also do 15 inch. Bachmann doesn't make an HO Heisler.

Sid

[ACY]

Climax is advertised by Bachmann to handle 15 inch......both the 2 and 3 truck versions. Shay will do the same. The Heisler.....if Riv/Hornby.....will also do 15 inch. Bachmann doesn't make an HO Heisler.

That explains why I can't find any info for it, wasn't sure though. Also the minimum radius' were taken directly from the Bachmann website when they used to list it for all their locomotives; I don't believe it is posted anywhere on the site anymore, if it is though feel free to show me as I couldn't find it.
I won't argue that the Climax or Shay can't run on tighter, I just posted what was listed on the website circa 2010 or so.

[Len]

While the 'official' word is the 2-10-x locos can handle 22" radius curves, my experience is they are a lot happier on 24", or larger, curves.

Len

[jonathan]

My source for radius information has always been the Bachmann Catalog.

Each page, that advertises individual locomotives, always list the minimum recommended radius.  I just check the 2017 catalog and the radii specs are in there.

For instance, the 2-8-0 is listed, and has always been listed, as working on 18" radius curves. 

Regards,

Jonathan

[WoundedBear]

Same here Jon. The 2013 catalogue lists the 3 truck Climax as 15". The Baldwin 4-4-0 is listed as 15 inch as well in the 2011 catalogue, but not the Richmond.

0-6-0 Saddle Tanker is also a 15 inch model as per catalogue.


Sid

[ACY]

My source for radius information has always been the Bachmann Catalog.
Each page, that advertises individual locomotives, always list the minimum recommended radius.  I just check the 2017 catalog and the radii specs are in there.
For instance, the 2-8-0 is listed, and has always been listed, as working on 18" radius curves. 

Same here Jon. The 2013 catalogue lists the 3 truck Climax as 15". The Baldwin 4-4-0 is listed as 15 inch as well in the 2011 catalogue, but not the Richmond.
0-6-0 Saddle Tanker is also a 15 inch model as per catalogue

Thanks guys I completely forgot about the catalog. I have an archive of the website from about 2009 or 2010 and just posted what was listed at that time, I am not sure why there are discrepancies, perhaps someone just made a typographical error or a simple mistake. Or perhaps they did change their recommendation at some point, I don't know really. The 0-6-0T listed may not be the saddle tanker, it may be the other model, I am not sure though.
In any case it is always best to err on the side of caution and go with as broad of curves as you can fit in the space you are working with or at least maybe use 22" radius instead of 18 or 15. Aesthetics (ie overhang and relative size) as well as smooth operation are usually important factors to consider when designing your layout.

Again thanks guys for pointing out the radius is listed in the catalog, I feel like an idiot for overlooking that.

[indian_hills_r_r]

thanks for the info , acy. that's the fun of model railroading. sometimes you get wrong and sometimes you get right. but it is nice to find people who like to help other. again thank you