(Moved from Classic Trains forum by selector…hence the message in the second post)
just statring and need a few questions answered to help me to get started. is 24" and 22" radias ok. 4 per cent grade to much. plan on short trains. steam engines. 0-4-0 and 2-6-2 and small ones like that. all help is appreatiated. thanks
You should repost this question in the Model Railroader forum, this forum is for 12" to the foot scale trains. [:)]
Assuming you’re working with HO scale, the curve radius and grades sound OK for short trains - the grades would be a good excuse to keep the trains short.
24 and 22 inch radii are all right for almost anything that would ordinarily be running in conjunction with small steam. 4% is the same grade I am running with (mostly) 0-6-0T locos - which can handle about four small cars without helpers (the equivalent for you would be 3 AAR box cars.)
Your 0-4-0 would probably be best as a yard goat - in a flat yard. My two small 0-4-0Ts are restricted to yard service because they can’t take much more than themselves upgrade.
Since I am using hyperflexible, short-bodied rolling stock, the minimum curve on my ‘goat trail with rails on it’ is 350mm - just under 14 inches. An unmodified Mantua 2-6-6-2T can handle it! Of course, the prototype for that loco was designed to take 68 degree curves - just about 12" radius in HO. The longest car that will ever run on the line is shorter than a 60 foot HO car - and is still a flange-squealer with hideous overhang. Without proper spiral easements, the whole thing would be the impossible dream.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Ken,
Curves sound fine – a 24" radius is a “conventional” curve by NMRA standards, and 22" is only a little tighter, but it shouldn’t get you in to trouble with the equipment you’re talking about.
Personally, I would think twice about 4% grades, especially as a beginner. Grades introduce a lot of issues with trackwork, couplers and derailments that you might not have the experience or desire to wrestle with just yet. Also, a 4% grade, while not unheard of on prototypes, is very steep and not contemplated lightly.