What is the minimum curve radius to run an HO scale Big Boy?
What does the manufacture recommend? Are you asking about “for realistic looks” or “for operation”?
Berk765, this is the famous 15th-of-the-month question; this question is raised on the 15th of every month! Next month and in April, June, August, October, and December it will be worded “Will my HO Scale Big Boy operate on 18” radius curves?" Watch for it!
Depending on the manufacturer and its engineering you MIGHT be able to get an HO Scale Big Boy to negotiate 18" radius curves - ALMOST all HO Scale Big Boys will negotiate 22" radius curves albeit they look like aitch doing it. This length locomotive should be operated on 28" radius curves or greater to really look decent!
Aesthetically speaking?
48" minimum, with at leat 50+ cars.
Anything else just looks silly.
I agree with R.T…wait, I didn’t mean for that to rhyme, it’s just my way of marking time.
[:I]
Anyway, he’s right. The question reads a bit like someone trying to get the horse to push the cart. It’s a huge engine, no matter who makes it, and it will look awful on tight curves. Think of the front engine deflected way over to the right, and the front of the boiler and left rear of the cab hanging way out over the outer edge of the ties on the outer side of the curve.
I ran my Lionel Challenger on 22" curves quite successfully, and it only looked half-bad. Mind you that was all I had…22" curves. If you could talk yourself into something smaller engine-wise, or find a way to squeeze another 4" into the radius, you would have a better time of it all around.