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fvracer_x
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 Posted - 06/11/2009 : 11:55:34
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Does anyone have any experience running 6 axle diesels around off the wall radii? Specifically: would one do alright on say a 13" radius curve?
Thanks!
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Country: USA
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MichaelWinicki
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 Posted - 06/11/2009 : 12:10:54
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I think you'll find most will negotiate a curve even sharper than a 13" radius.
The only one I have that seemed to balk at anything less than 19" was the Bachman Spectrum SD45. The coupler boxes would interfere with the swing of the trucks.
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Country: USA
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fvracer_x
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Posted - 06/11/2009 : 12:37:04
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Thank you, I'll keep that in mind and look closer at the loco I'm interested in.
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Country: USA
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DJCONWAY
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Posted - 06/11/2009 : 13:31:18
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They can do it but --
1- If the cars coupled directly behind the loco are not weighted to NMRA recommendations they most likely will derail.
2- If you use body mounted couplers on the loco - use the Micro Trains long shank 1016 coupler this helps a little with #1
3- If you use body mounted couplers on the rolling stock you most likely will derail.
4- They look auful, hide the curve in a tunnel.
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 Do your part buy stuff! |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 2092 |
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wm3798
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Posted - 06/11/2009 : 14:52:32
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quote:
Originally posted by DJCONWAY
They can do it but --
1- If the cars coupled directly behind the loco are not weighted to NMRA recommendations they most likely will derail.
2- If you use body mounted couplers on the loco - use the Micro Trains long shank 1016 coupler this helps a little with #1
3- If you use body mounted couplers on the rolling stock you most likely will derail.
4- They look auful, hide the curve in a tunnel.
...so all of the problems in 1, 2, and 3 can take place in a tunnel!
Lee
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Mill Street Studios - Custom N Scale Offerings.
www.wmrywesternlines.net |
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Country: USA
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Zug
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Posted - 06/11/2009 : 15:58:52
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I use to have a Kato SD90MAC.. It would make the tight corners, but usually not the cars behind it. Since I couldn't make a bigger layout I use to restrict it to the wider corners, but finally sold it..
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Kent..
author of ZugDCC - Simply the best software for Lenz ExpressNet * NCE version coming soon * http://www.kentsoftware.com
Railroad Photo Galery http://www.kenttimm.com/railroad-gallery
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Country: Canada
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SkipFranandFun
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Posted - 06/11/2009 : 15:59:33
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quote:
Originally posted by fvracer_x
Thank you, I'll keep that in mind and look closer at the loco I'm interested in.
Martin,
Tell us what 6 axle engine you are considering, and what type of cars you'll be pulling.
We probably have something similar, and can test down to 8 1/2 inch radius.
Skip 
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Edited by - SkipFranandFun on 06/11/2009 16:02:33 |
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DJCONWAY
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Posted - 06/11/2009 : 16:17:39
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quote:
Originally posted by wm3798
quote:
Originally posted by DJCONWAY
They can do it but --
1- If the cars coupled directly behind the loco are not weighted to NMRA recommendations they most likely will derail.
2- If you use body mounted couplers on the loco - use the Micro Trains long shank 1016 coupler this helps a little with #1
3- If you use body mounted couplers on the rolling stock you most likely will derail.
4- They look auful, hide the curve in a tunnel.
...so all of the problems in 1, 2, and 3 can take place in a tunnel!
Lee
OK OK I should have ammended #4 to "4- They look auful, hide the curve in a tunnel, make sure you have access to the inside cars will derail.
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Country: USA
| Posts: 2092 |
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CSX Robert
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Posted - 06/11/2009 : 18:14:38
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Something that can help tremendously is easements, or even pseudo-easements if you are using sectional track. As an example, pulling Kato coal porters with a Kato SD-80MAC on a Unitrack test layout, if it went from a straight section into a 15" radius curve, the first coal porter would often derail(the coupler swinging out on the locomotive would push out on the front coupler of the coal porter and cause the truck to twist sideways and derail). If I put one section of either 19" radius or 28 1/4" radius curve between the straight section and the 15" radius curve to act as an easement, the train would pass through with no derailments.
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fvracer_x
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Posted - 06/11/2009 : 18:18:50
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Ok, the loco I'd like to get woiuld be an Atlas Monon C628. I also like the Atlas C420. The layout I have in mind has a loop with 13" curves and one with 9 3/4" curves. It would be great if you could test them for me Skip. As for rolling stock, guessing... Atlas flats, 2 bay hoppers, 60s era freight cars in general.
Thanks again!!
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SkipFranandFun
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Posted - 06/11/2009 : 18:43:43
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quote:
Originally posted by fvracer_x
Ok, the loco I'd like to get woiuld be an Atlas Monon C628. I also like the Atlas C420. The layout I have in mind has a loop with 13" curves and one with 9 3/4" curves. It would be great if you could test them for me Skip. As for rolling stock, guessing... Atlas flats, 2 bay hoppers, 60s era freight cars in general.
Thanks again!!
Well...no Monon...but we do have a C-628 Demo;
....give me about an hour or so....let's see what I can come up with....
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Country: USA
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Brakie
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Posted - 06/11/2009 : 19:01:54
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The C628 will ease around those 13" curves with flying colors..
However...
I wouldn't want to use any smaller radius..
As a side note:Cars weighted to NMRA weight RP is not the cure all for long wheel base locomotives and sharp curves.
Nothing beats good old common sense.
Long wheel base cars and locos--the larger the curve the better.
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Atlas,Please do a N Scale SW1500.
Larry
Columbus & Hocking Valley Ry.
Serving The Industries Of The Hocking Valley. |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 6221 |
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SkipFranandFun
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Posted - 06/11/2009 : 20:20:32
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well...I used a worst case scenario of 8 1/2 " radius, on a loop that took 36 cars. (the engine would pull much more, I'm sure)
I loaded some Atlas flats right after the engine, 2 bay hoppers, 50' boxcars, some loaded pulpwood flats (fairly heavy), and a caboose.
(All D&H...except the flats were BM....if anybody cares. )
The 8 1/2" radius curves feed into a Unitrack #6 turnout.
This engine will pull the entire train thru that curve. More importantly, it will BACK the entire train, over the turnout & thru the curve, without a hint of derailing. This with the lite, unloaded, flats next to the engine. While there appears to be a great deal of overhang by the engine, (see below) it does not appear to effect performance, at least with the cars you mentioned.
Martin, I don't think you will have any problems from an operational standpoint. It does (as others have mentioned) look 'unprototypical'.
One thing to keep in mind....this test is on Unitrack (code 80). I can't speak for other track...other forum members may comment.
Sorry for the very poor 'quicky' image...I was hand holding and using flash.
I just wanted you to have an idea what that C628 on that curve will look like.
Since you asked about 13"...this is what our C628 looks like on 13 3/4" radius;
...hmmmm...not bad!  ...(radii from left to right, 11", 12 3/8", 13 3/4", 15", 19")
Hope this helps you with your decision,
Skip
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Edited by - SkipFranandFun on 06/11/2009 20:56:42 |
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fvracer_x
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 Posted - 06/11/2009 : 20:25:56
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Fair enough, it doesn't look good at all but it will take it on with a reasonable easement. Now I have something to think about. Thanks VERY much for your time and effort! I really apreciate it!
Martin
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Country: USA
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bdennis
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Posted - 06/11/2009 : 21:06:14
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Hey. I use Atlas Code 55 and have used Code 55 set track down to 10" in my return loop hidden staging and other hidden places on the layout.
I have all sorts of Atlas / Kato loco's (U30C, SD45, C628, PA1) and I dont have any issues with derailments or cars pulling off the track (as long as they are heavy enough - I have not weighted to NRMA standard but older really light cars will pull off if a reasonable train is behind them).
I mainly have 12 car trains but can run 50 or 60 cars through the 10" turns with no issues.
It will also depend if there is a grade involved. If the turn is flat and the train is on a flat then the results will be better that if the loop is at the end or in the middle of a grade.
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Country: Australia
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fvracer_x
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Posted - 06/11/2009 : 23:15:36
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Here is the door sized track plan I had in mind BTW...
Thoughts?
Download Attachment:  plan1.jpg
59.13 KB
Thanks,
Martin
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Country: USA
| Posts: 320 |
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plan1.jpg