I just had a single question, I recently got back into model railroading and already have 3 locomotives. A GP9, F7 and a GE B30-7 and all can use 18" curve track so that is what I have an abundance of. I want to get a dash9 locomotive but I noticed that it is recommended to have a minimum of 22" curve track, but it is only recommended. Will a dash9 work on 18" track also. Thanks in advance.
William
What brand loco? An Athearn will do 18"" whild an Overland Brass may need 30"[%-)]
Lou,
Thanks for getting back to me and the locomotive I was looking at is actually a Bachmann Dash 8 so my apologies on that. I was also looking at a Athearn AC4400, will both work on an 18" curve. Thanks again Lou.
William
I have an Athearn dash 9 that doesn’t like 18" curves, though there are switches in the curves too which doesn’t help. That’s just my experience though… YMMV…
While the loco may physically make the curve, it’ll look pretty silly doing so and will likely pull longer cars off the track while rounding the curve.
Your GP9, F7, and B30-7 are four axle locomotives, so they can handle the 18" curves without a problem. The Dash 9, AC4400, and pretty much any other six axle locomotives will require broader curves since there will be a lot of overhang from the pilots. This overhang is what will derail anything that is coupled to it, so a minimum of 22" is recommended by the manufacturers. You can probably modify the loco in order to reduce the overhang, but by far the easiest thing to do is to use a long shank coupler, like a kadee #26.
I have 18in curves (Life like powerlock track) and several 6 axle engines that work just fine. They work at all speeds. You just need good smooth track. It also helps if you install a long shank coupler on the first freight car in your train or on the rear of each engine. They would all look better on broad curves but i just don’t have room.
Engines: Bach/ Atlas 8-40cw and c, sd40-2, Kato c44-9w, Bli GG-1, Proto SD60/50, Kato SD70Mac.
Bob
I have Athearns and Atlas Dash 9’s and they run on my 18" radius. My SD40-2’s run fine and my ac4400’s run to. The trick is to have a transition peice of 20" or 22" radius to set the trucks on the loco prior to the 18" r so it doesn’t jump into the 18"r turn right a way. This easies the loco into the turn verse jumping right into a sharp turn.
William, I had only one 6 wheel truck engine that would not take a 18 inch turn and it was a Bachmann. I sold it. If it is in the budget I would buy a Athearn Dash 9. My Athearn Dash 9 will use Kadee number 5’s on the last 18 inch turn I have. Rest of my bigger engines prefer the longer shanks.
Cuda Ken