We’ve been having quite the discussion in another thread regarding minimum recommended radius for HO scale layouts. I would like to know what the minimum recommended radius is for N scale layouts, for both 4 axle and 6 axle locomotives.
Thanks.
- Tim
Someone answered it in the HO topic!!!
Jason
D’oh! I missed that!!! Sorry folks.
- Tim
It all depends on what you want to know…minimal radius without derailing or minimal to look right.My DD40AX handles 12 in. curves no sweat,but looks terrible doing so.
MINIMUM radius is what I was after. I don’t have much room. Trying to figure out what I can reasonably work with to design a small layout.
- Tim
I had the same “problem” of “how low can you go”. I model in N scale as well, so here is my personal experience. My outer loop has 12 inch radius curves. All 4 axle units work well and look good. My six axle Atlas units work well and look OK. I had problems with 6 axle Kato units with the first car derailing. I put a long shank coupler on the Katos and they work fine now. Passenger cars operate well on the 12 inch curves, but some object to the overhang. This is something I live with due to space.
The inner loop has 9 3/4 inch curves. The 4 axle units work well and the look is acceptable. The 6 axle units will work with this radius, but I sometimes have the problem of the first car derailing, even with the long shank couplers. Passenger cars and freight cars over 50 feet will work, but don’t look that good.
For this reason, I don’t operate passenger cars on the inner loop, and I generally limit freight cars to 50 feet (+/-). I limit freight cars to 50 feet also because larger equipment takes up too much space in the small yards.
In summary, even though all 4 and 6 axle diesels and all freight and passenger cars I’ve had will negotiate a 9 3/4 inch radius curve, operationally speaking, for 6 axle units and longer cars, I would not go any smaller than 12 inch radius, and if possible use 18 inch curves. In yard areas and in tight industrial areas where only 4 axle units go, I do use the 9 3/4 inch radius curves, but if I were to do it again, I would use a 12 inch radius even for the 4 axle units and shorter cars, again just for the better operating characteristics. Hope this helps. Good luck.
HAHAHAHA! DD40AX on 12"! that must look very odd. post a picture that i can laugh at please!LOL! HAHAHAHAHA! sry had to let my laughs out…
I model N scale and here is how I proceed. I shood for 18" min radius with easments. Thei is especially important when you will view the outside of the curve close up like on the end of a peninsula. In some rare cases when space is tight and when the curve is further from view and/or view from the inside of the curve I use 16" curves. Bare in mind I am running modern equipment with up to 89’ rollingstock and up to 6 axle locos. The equipment may roll around tighter curves, but will not look realistic. Viewing insited curves at a distance can hide some of this problem.
Ron
does the mounting of the coupler, truck or body mount, also effect the minimum radius? also the type of coupler, knuckle vs rapido?
You would be safe with a 12" radius but something larger will be better especially if you are running the newer big 6 axle diesels, autoracks, twin stacks etc.
Cheers,
Cliff