as advertised, recommended minimum radius is 22" , but i was wondering what it would be like on 18" curves, derailed or get tight on the tracks ?
I wouldnt try it…big steam wants big curves. The spectrum 2-6-6-2s run good on sharp curves, if you cant have larger radius curves and wanna run large articulateds, id go with one of those. Besides, big steamers look SO much better on bigger curves. For 8 coupled steam, i would stay with 26-28" curves at least. For 2-10-2s, even with blind center drivers, 30" or larger is my rule of thumb. That Big Boy will probably crawl right off the track on 18" curves.
Martin,
Even though Athearn recommends 22" radius curves, I’ve heard folks (e.g. Cuda Ken) say that the Athearn Big Boy can negotiate a 18" radius curve. Whatever the case, one thing is certain: It won’t look pretty doing it.
Personally, if you have a minimum radius of 18" on your layout curves, I’d stick with smaller steam.
Tom
It will take 18" radius but it has serious issues concerning the front truck and the tender. Also it looks downright ridiculous. On the full size unit Union pacific practically had to rebuild their entire rail network to accomodate the Big Boy. It’s no wonder no other lines ran them.
Plus, since these are inherently heavy engines, just like their prototypes, they draw a lot more amperage scraping their flanges through these minimums curve radii. The BLI 2-10-4 PRR J1 is recommended for 24" curves, but I could get it to negotiate 22" curves, in keeping with MR’s own claims in their review of the loco.
If you have one tight curve on your layout, say in an industrial area or servicing track, and want the BB to get around it, that would be okay, as long as you understand you’ll have to offer a helping hand at times, maybe even to pick it up and place all them wheels back on the rails. But, if you have nothing but 18" curves, you will not be a happy model railroader right from the get-go. Many frustrating hours ahead of you.
yeh, i know that big steams look much better on larger radius, but my athearn challenger does an excellent job on 18 curves , not only it looks ok but runs smoothly on 18, thats why i am asking such a question. i 've heard that trix and pcm big boys can do that, i dont have them but i am gonna buy a broadway big boy. 18"radius is unavoidable for me 'cause my room is not that spacious as what u guys have .
The 6 coupled engines do run nicely on 18 inch curves. The big boy probably wont. If your track is laid very carefully, all the wheelsets on the engine (i wouldnt bet on this from Athearn) are in gauge, and the sun is in Saggitarius, it just might go. If you have the money to spare, try it! Can always put it on a shelf until a bigger layout becomes a possibility.
Both sets of drivers are articulated on the Genesis big boy. They werent on the prototype. They also arent on most brass engines, which is what my curve experience is based on. By the way, at the moment i live in a small apartment, so space is a huge concern for me (probably going to switch to N as a result) but my previous layout was a 4 x 12 layout on plywood. I model B&O, and have a 2-8-8-4, a couple 2-10-2s, a couple 2-8-2s, and a 2-8-4. My layout was an engine terminal, with roundhouse, turntable, water tank, etc. I avoided the curves (pulled them around my little yard,making up trains, etc. turning was done with the turntable if needed) and had a load of fun with it. Was my answer to huge steam and limited space.
If you want it, buy it!
Martin, my first Athearn handel my 18" turns with not a lick of a problem. Problem with was 2 fold.
1 Decoder did what it wanted on DCC when it wanted. No sound, then sound, changed whistels when it felt like. Sit there and making chuffing sounds but would not move. Ran great on DC.
2 Could not darg a 30 cars for more than two laps around the bench after that I was pushing it. They where esay roller’s as well. Tender woul not roll on a 13% grade that tested it on, not part of the track just a test board. Day I finaly gave up was when a Blue Box B40-8 Athearn out pulled it!
After speaking with Atheran Teck deparment back to K-10 Trains in Maryville IL it went.
Got the 4020 that was in the PIC tipping the wheels.
That was a 26" Left hand turn in the PIC! It would track with no problems on the right hand turns that where 18"!!!
Reason I took it back was the decoder. I had worked with it and used spacers under the leading truck and I stopped the tipping. Rear wheels of the front truck would still derail but found that it did not like a frog on one turns outs where the first one liked it. Worked on the frog and they where starting to like each other.
Then the decoder started the same stuff! Would move 2 feet and stop but I still had control of all the sound’s!
My first Athearn 4009 main problem was the hard to drag tender and decoder. My 4020 problem was it was just a little more pickey about left hand turns and the decoder.
But the 18" turns where never a problem!!!
If you feel like replacing the decoder (reason I took both back and finaly took a refund) then I would buy one. In fact I may buy yet another one and have K-10 Train install a drifrent decoder. Last one 402
Its going to look like aitch and nothing else need be said!!!