Porter On30 Turning Radius

[SideTracked]

What's the minimum radius curve you've successfully run a Bachmann Porter? Meaning no disrespect to EZ-Track, I'm open to hand laying tighter curves than are available from B'mann. I'm guessing the 0-4-0 and 0-4-2 are similar in their turning habits.

[Tim]

0-4-0 Porter, practical min radius 12"r,  absolute min radius 6"

0-4-2 Porter, practical min radius 15"r,  absolute min radius 9"

Absolute minimum radius requires perfect track work and coupler swing mods.

Tim Anders
Souderton, PA

[jpipkin]

I have gotten a 0-4-2 to run on 6 inch radius by modifying the rear truck.  Staying coupled even to a small four wheel car is another story.  However a 0-4-0 will run fine with small cars on a 6 inch radius.

[SideTracked]

Tim and jpipkin

Many thanks for the data. I'm in no way married to the OE couplers and wouldn't mind converting to a simpler system.

Cheers,
Pete

[Tim]

Pete

Many 0n30 guys are using link and pin couplers with short cars to operate on tight radius curves.

FootHill Model works has L & P couplers in plastic.

http://www.foothillmodelworks.com/DetailPt.html

There are others in die cast metal.

Tim Anders
Souderton, PA

[C.S.R.R. Manager]

On my micro-layout, the radius is slightly less than 6".  Atlas HO code 83 flex glued to foam, stock couplers.  The train will run all day, and most of the rolling stock is bashed Thomas HO from Bachmann.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsvWOX3jYp0

Manager

[HarryHotspur]

In my experience, the minimum practical radius is a lot less than 12". I run mine on 10" radii pulling and pushing cars, through S curves, etc. with no problems. However, only the shortest Bachmann cars (like the dumps) will handle a 10" radius - the box cars, etc. will not.

[jpipkin]

Wow, C.S.R.R. Manager, I didn't think about posting my Youtube video.  This was taken a couple years ago by a friend of mine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqkRB5Wo1Pc

Two trains at once on a 6 radius inch pizza layout.  I used Bachmann E-Z Command with Bachmann decoders in the Porters.

Jim