In general the many real life logging locos could negotiate some pretty rough track, and I imagine some pretty tight turns.
What will our models do? What sort of minimum radius turns will our HO logging locos negotiate?
I’m thinking of building a small logging scene on a hanging peninsula section, and I am wondering if I can put a return loop at one end,…perhaps as little as 14-16 inches radius.
I’ve got a variety of nice loggers I’d like to run (continuously) on a compact logging track ‘loop’
-should- be okay …
i’ve got geared steam looging running on 18-22 " radius , no issues
For shays, climaxes and other geared engines, you should be ok with 15" radius. I would avoid rolling stock longer than 50’ for operations.
Simon
I got to wondering if the shafts on those MODEL shays were long enough?
If you are willing to modify equipment, anything is possible.
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These are six inch radius curves in HO scale.
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-Kevin
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Didn’t know you could go that low, 12" is easy but 6", wow.
6" radius !!..double WOW.
I didn’t think the concentric drive shafts of the shays would permit this?
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I did not build that scene, but I did talk to the builder. It is on a modular train layout in Georgia. The small radius lets the whole layout fit on a single module.
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There were two trains. One was pulled by an 0-6-0 with one blind driver. They other was pulled by a heavily modified 44 ton GE locomotive. All the equipment had to be modified to make it work. It was quite a feat.
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I doubt a shay would be possible on this radius.
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-Kevin
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Hi there. This review suggests that the 3 truck climax made by Bachmann can handle 15" radius.
http://mrr.trains.com/news-reviews/staff-reviews/2011/03/bachmann-trains-ho-scale-climax-locomotive
Simon
I believe that is the ‘stock reply’ ?
According to that reference I posted above,…
Yes, I have the Bachmann B class climax, which is a 2 truck loco. I have no doubt that it could handle a 15" curve (the gears broke a long time ago…).
To the traction fans, that is a standard city scene radious
I have a 2-4-0 tanker and a 2-6-0 tanker and they will both do a 9" radius. The problem I had was the freight cars with logs could not make the turns, even though the trucks could make the turns, the logging cars hit each other end to end. I installed Kadee long shank couplers and they work fine.
Metal Beam Backbone
Yesterday I was visiting my metal scrap yard and noticed a new piece of that ‘sign post’ metal beam I’ve utilized on other portions of my ‘metal benchwork’. My thoughts turned back to this logging train trackage I had been contemplating down an elevated strip over my central peninsula.
Could this beam be the backbone rib of that logging trackage? In other words it would exist strictly as a stiff backbone of approx 8-9 foot of length. Various pieces of 1-2" thick foam attached to this backbone would provide for the scenery and roadbed all along this length. The backbone might well be attached to the ceiling beams of the shed via 2 long all-thread rods, so no support structure required from the bottom. And these rods can be placed such that the ceiling fan is still usable.
Brian,
Glad you found the brass 2-6-6-2. This is a great looking logging loco. I have one of these currently running on my layout. If my experience is any indication, you will be lucky to just get the loco to run smoothly. I wouldn’t expect it to go around tight corners. The drive mechanisms in these locos are very finicky.
Have fun,
Guy
The 3-ft gauge prototype for the Uintah 2-6-6-2 was designed for the railroads 66 degree (roughly 90 ft radius) curves. That’s pretty close to a 12 inch radius In HO.
Ray
For everyone’s information, I just set up an HO 15" curve and ran my Bachmann 3 truck Shay through it. Even at slow speed she bucked off the rail coming out of it. Just sitting there with no power the tender and loco touch, but there is a little play, so I thought I got lucky. Running, whole 'nother story. I’ll try 16". BTW the axles never popped out. (UPDATE 7/4: I ran the 3 truck Shay through the 15" curve again with my glasses on, certain all wheels were aligned first. It would not derail even at top speed. Can’t say what happened but I’m adding Shay to the 15 club!)
Then I had success, no derails on the 15" HO curve with the following:
Bachmann 10 wheeler Baldwin.
Proto 2000 SW8
Proto 2000 FA1-FB1, hitched.
Hope this helps! -Rob
Thats great info Rob. It now appears I can get the Shays, the Heisler, and the Mantua thru these 15"curves. Thats good enough for me, I’m going forward with this size.