Bach Man Engines and 5ft and 6.5 ft diameter curves.

[wally]

Bach Man can you tell me which 0f your g scale engines will work on 5 ft and 6.5 ft diameter curves. Thanks for the help. I am new to garden railroads. Use to work in o guage but had to downsize home so I am going outside in a small space. 25 ft by 5 or 6.5 ft. I hope 63 years of age is not to old to get started. Thanks again.

[Nathan]

Wally,

If you don't mind me jumping in before Bach Man can get back to you,  My father and I have both used the various Porter's, Shays, Heisler, and Climaxs on as little as 4 ft.  If you can make larger curves use them.  My dad had a 4-6-0 that will work some times on 4 ft, but your track work has to be perfect.  It prefers larger.  You also might look at the traction equipment.

Just try and avoid 'S' curves, even at passing sidings. 

By the way, my dad did not get into large scale from HO until he was in his 70's.  He got his first train set when he was 3 years old and is going to turn 84 this year and still plays with trains.

Nathan

[Matthew (OV)]

I'm not the Bach Man, but I can get you started.

You will have NO trouble with the following on small radius curves:

0-4-0 Sidetank(S) and saddletank.
2-6-0 "Industrial" mogul
2-4-2 (Any version, if you can find one)
Trolley cars
Gandy Dancer hand car
Two Truck Shay
Two Truck Climax
Two Truck Heisler
Rail Truck

You will be able to run these on small curves, but will be happier with larger ones:

Anything from the first list, above PLUS:

4-6-0 "Anniversary" and all previous.
45 Ton Diesel (Light... will have trouble pulling cars.)

You will need curves LARGER than 2.5' radius (5' diameter) to run any of the following comfortably (meaning there are ways to make some of them take the 5 footers, but they protest doing so, and look awkward trying: )

4-4-0 American
2-6-0 Spectrum Centennial Mogul
2-8-0 Outside Frame Consolidation
45 Ton Diesel (hauling cars)
Shay (3 truck) (You MAY have luck with this on smaller geometry.)

Corrections and additions welcome, as always.

Matthew (OV)

[Lee Carlson]

Matthew,

Every Christmas, one of my 45-tonners pulls a freight train around
under the tree on R1 curves without difficulty.  Usually 4-6 cars.

Cheers,
Lee

[Matthew (OV)]

Ah, right... I've converted mine to AMS couplers, pulling AMS cars with body couplers.... I forget that "as delivered" it's a bit different!



Matthew (OV)