I’m sure this topic has been beat to death, but I’m not seeming to find it anywhere on the forums.
I was looking to buy a Bachmann 2-8-4 and was wondering if it could operate on 18" radius curves? I just want to get some opinions before I drop $100 on the locomotive
Would help if we knew which one. I had two GS-4 and they had no problem with 18 inch turns.
Cuda Ken
Bachmann’s information on the Berkshire should specify the minimum radius. I suspect it will negotiate 18" radius curves, but you should understand that it will look really odd, and the probability of derailments will be higher than with any longer radius.
If I had to judge based on it’s appearance I would say 22". I’ve seen a few videos about it and seen a bunch of sales ads and nowhere was anything about radius mentioned. The track in the videos however looked to be broader than 18".
It is odd that Bachmann does not said what sizes radius there engines will handle. One of the reason I have not bought more of there engines.
My GS-4’s tracked great with no derailment problems at all.
Cuda Ken
HI!
It is probable that it CAN run on 18 inch radius, but it really is too big for that. It may cause problems with the cab/tender hook-up, or the coupling of cars it pulls or pushes. And of course, it will just look toylike.
I say go for 22 Radius.
Most 100 dollar locomotives can run on at least a 22 inch radius. If its a decently 200-300 dollar one, I wouldnt bet on it. Ask the manufacturer. They are your best sources for stats.
I have the Bachmann 2010 Trains Catalog.
According to it, the 2-8-4 Berkshire style locomotives:
“Performs best on 22” radius curves or greater".
That is Bachmann’s recommendation.
{That does NOT mean, however, that it WON’T run on 18 inch curves. It may look funny doing it, OR may have some trouble at higher speeds}.
All I could find on Bachmann’s site is that it is good on “0-31” curves. I guess they mean curves to 31 degrees? Whatever that comes to…
You are looking at the Williams O gauge locomotives now made by Bachmann. The 0-31 nomenclature is used with 3 rail and means curves of 31 inches in diameter.
Enjoy
Paul
For what it’s worth.
I started off with 18"… went to 22"… aiming for 30"
Saying that, 22" is a minimum I’d shoot for unless your just working 2-6-0’s, light 2-8-0’s or Russian Decapods. 28" and above allows for nice flowing transitions and 30" allows for the brass.
Just my thoughts
Fergie
I learned the hard way
Silly me!
Runnerguy347,
I have a new Bachmann GS4 (4-8-4) and to get it to run on 18" radius have made the following modifications:
Replace the stiff tender-to-loco wires with flexible fine wire and connectors from TCS.
Replace the drawbar with a longer bar and move the attach point on the loco to just behind the rear driver, in stock location it placed a significant side load (45 degrees when viewed from directly overhead) on the drivers when entering the turn often causing derailment.
Clearance (file) the front bottom edge of the cylinders to prevent contact with the pilot wheels.
Add .25 oz lead weight to the front pilot.
Add 5 oz toward the front of the loco, was extremely back end heavy,
Add 2 oz to the tender to help it stay on the rails during backing.
Still doesn’t look graceful going around 18" radius track, but does stay on the rails.
Good luck with yours.
Dave
Thanks for the speedy replies guys.
From the sound of it, and the fact that I’m only running branch line trains, I think I will for-go the 2-8-4 and stick with a 2-8-0. I currently have one of the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0’s, but it took a nasty swan dive into the floor and now it tracks weird [:'(]
So I guess the search continues for a reasonably priced, DCC Baldwin
Paul is correct. My catalog has ALL bachmann “new or current products” for the year 2010.
In the back and upside down to the combined Large scale, HO N, On30 section, IS the WIlliams by Bachmann O scale. It’s recommendation for the Berk is the 0-31 curves or greater as you mentioned Selector, due to it’s Length of 19.5 inches and height of 3.75 Inches, all available for a catlog list price of just $369.95!
Yes, you and Paul have it correctly. I had clicked to get to the HO information, but when I typed in Berkshire it reverted to the O Gauge, but I didn’t notice the change in the header. Not very helpful as a search engine on that site.
Crandell
I have a Bachmann HO 4-8-4 J that I like to run with the Rapido Supercontinental (70 ft.) passenger cars. I was told that they would run with an 18" radius but all I got was trains jumping the tracks, even after switching to long shanks couplers - they looked like they were being forced into 90 degree angles and would tear themselves apart. I then refitted the entire layout with 22’…same trouble. I now run the line with 28" radius curves & they run smoothly & look beautiful doing it.
Runner, you do know Bachmann will repair the engine for I think around $40.00, right? Does not have to be under warranty for the repair work.
Cuda Ken
The Bachmann 2-8-4 DOES round 18-inch curves… I know this because my layout has nothing but curves that tight, and the Berkshire I own takes them without an issue, in both directions… So although 22" is certainly recommended, it SHOULD be able to take an 18…