I’m getting started on a design for a new garden railroad. The space available is somewhat limited but I want to make my curves as large as possible. I’m running Bachmann 1:20.3 equipment, and eventually some scratchbuilt stuff. I am going to fit all of my equipment with body mounted Kadee couplers. Anyone know what the minimum radius allowable is for this type of setup? Do you think I will be safe with no less than a 4 foot radius?
Thanks in advance,
Brian
Benton, KY
Brian,
5ft to be on the safe side!
Hi Brian, welcome to this great forum [tup]. I run a 2-8-0 1:20.3 consolidation and this beast wont look at anything under 8’ and it still sticks its front beam a long way out on these. All my stock has truck mounted hook & loops & my guess at body mounted KD’s would be at least 8’, but i’m as interested as you on what the other guys say who have shay’s etc.
cheers,
Kim
[tup]
Thanks for the replies, HJ and Kim. I suppose what I will do before I start shoveling any dirt is set up a temporary test track after installing some Kadees on a locomotive and a couple cars, then see what will work for me. I’m running a Bachmann Shay and Climax now, but would like to make the railroad safe for a 2-6-0 later on. I’ve heard they require no less than an 8 foot radius, too. I need to keep my new railroad’s domain down to a slim 12 feet wide, which would allow curves up to 5 foot radius and still give me some room around the outside for some vegetation (it’ll all be in a raised planter). Maybe I’ll forgo that 2-6-0 for a new Heisler instead.
highball,
Brian