On30 radius

[jerryl]

  What is the smallest radius a 4 wheel either a porter or diesel switcher can negotiate. I'm thinking of starting a SMALL layout.  Thanks... Jerry

[Hamish K]

A well known guide to ON30 radius is that of Prof Kryzylr (an Australian ON30 modeller). See http://train-model.neuf.fr/on30/On30Loco_n_Car_Radius.pdf

Of course whether a particular loco looks OK on a tight curve is entirely up to you, if you think it looks OK, it is, if you think it doesn't, it isn't.

Hamish

[renniks]

A more up to date version of the guide is in Files on either of the On30 Conspiracy or the On30 groups on Yahoo.

Eric UK

[jerryl]

 Thanks Everyone for your help....Jerry

[C.S.R.R. Manager]

I've used 6" radius curves on my micro-layout, and the 0-4-0 and Diesel handle them fine.  The side-dump mine cars also work, but I mainly run HO Thomas cars that are heavily bashed.  It was a test layout, but it's really fun to take to shows.  It's on Youtube, if you search for On30 and grits3d.

Manager

[Jim Banner]

Hamish,
Is that the same Professor Klyzlr that 0n30nutz quoted on 20 July last year? 

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,6108.msg51995.html#msg51995

I tried the French link in your post above and got 404 errors.

Jim

[Hamish K]

Jim

Yes - that is the same information from the same person - I had forgotten that it had been previously posted here.

I tested my link before posting and it worked, now it doesn't - such are the ways of the internet!

Hamish

[jpipkin]

A friend put my 6" radius layout on YouTube at:

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

Not a problem with Porters and a gas mechanical.  The trains were controlled with DCC.

Jim

[dave van]

I have a mini layout with 10" R curves and the 0-4-0 and diesel run fine. 

[C.S.R.R. Manager]

For more info on micro-layouts, some of you might not have found Carl Arendt's excellent website, frequently updated:
http://www.carendt.com/

As to the question of why... Why use such small curves?  Well, because we can.  Because it allows for the construction of highly portable mini-layouts.  Because mini-layouts are cute, and are often real crowd-pleasers at shows.  And because they drive some of the prototype HO guys nuts.

Manager

[Steve09]

I used a 5'' R on my layout and it works fine. However, if you are using flex-track you might want to test to see how tight the track will bend, if you hand-laying like i did,
then you are fine.
-Steve09

[El Loco]

Gads! 4" & 5" radius'! That's amazing, So how are you guys getting that tight of a bend  without binding up the flex track?
Ive often contemplated  building a mini for a train show display but havent as of yet.  What a great way to expose Bachmann on30 equipment
Perhaps someone can enlighten me?
Thanks.

[Jim Banner]

I suspect for that tight a radius, hand laying the track is the only way to go.  Sounds like a good way to learn how to hand lay.  And if you don't like it, there is not much loss in time or materials.

Jim

[El Loco]

Thanks for the advice Jim, I do hand lay all of my rail . I figured they had some exotic new way of doing this task.  Thanks !