As you all probably know by now (if you don’t, where have you been?), I’m obbsessed with Big Boys. I mean, I usually talk about them in every post or reply. So now, I think this’ll be my last question about them. How small of a curve can a NEW HO rivarossi Big Boy take? And also, being on a 5x8 or 6x8 layout, could my layout handle one? So please tell me what curves I need.
(i’m sorry if i’m annoying, with all my posts and all. just, someone answer this question, please[?][;)])
the NMRA lot have recommendations on their web site. go there you fool!
I would guess it would be about 28". On the other hand many of the plastic models claim to be able to go around 18" curves because they have un-protypical articulation. They will look a bit odd doing it though.
I would have thought that it will look okay on 22" radii but I would try to get a 26" radii to make it look better.
Hope that helps.
By the way - one of those Garratts from DJH could take a model big boy any day! They are kits so they are made of white metal and brass and they are powered by a Portescap RG7- a motor designed for 7mm or O scale locomotives.
The Marklin-Trix version of the Big Boy tech spec’s state that it will run on curves down to 14 3/16 (see http://www.ttx-dcc.com/tonystips/2001/121101b.htm )
The Rivarossi version may be built differently and have a larger minimum radius. In any event, the bigger the curve the better it will look and operate. As neilmunck noted above, bigger is better - 26"+. Probably not going to make it on a 4x8 or even 5x9 [:(]
You could however, make the layout focus on an engine facility, with a big turntable, coaling tower or oil spout, water, etc and have one “in the yard” for service…
Andrew
That’s an idea–if you just went for a long shelf layout, you wouldn’t have to worry about tight curve radii–you’d just need a big turntable or two. And an engine facility model would let you have a disproportionately large number of big lovely engines without having to worry about too much other rolling stock…
to be true to prototype, as i pointed you elsewhere, a “Big Boy” needs a 40" curve to look proper. but I’m assuming that they’ve designed the models to go on a 22" minimum, as that seems to be the standard for the longer engines. go 26" and you should be fine.
Jay.
Will 26’’ fit on a 6x8?
It should. A 6 x 8 table would be 72" x 96". A 26 " radius curve would have a 52" diameter at it’s widest point. I’d say the greatest you could reasonably go on a 6x8 is a 32-34" radius, presuming you are basing your radius on track center.
O.K, but someone told me since I’m using E-Z track, I should use larger curves than that, like 35" or 36". Tell me, is E-Z track not "'d or scaled correctly?
No EZ track is just like any other code 100 track. use 22" e-z or 26" e-z, since they don’t have a 24"
Jay
[B)]
A question for you.
Since you want to run this HUGE piece of equipment,
do you have the room to modify your layout in any way???
A 6 x 8 is ok for some things , NOT A BIG BOY , and the
table concept does not give adequate space to work on
comfortably without knocking things down.
If you have an option, do not put any track on the inside of
this table layout. OR put a viewblock , like a hill or tall structure
town in there. BUT… make sure you have PLENTY of clearance
for that engine and the cars it pulls. ARE ALL YOUR LOCOS
4884’S ???
[:p]
No, they aren’t.[;)] By view block you mean like a backdrop in the middle? Why would I need a back drop? I was planning on the outter line being wide enough for a big boy, and then 1 or 2 inner main lines on 22" or 18", then with a small frieght yard and maybe 1 or 2 braches. What do ya think.[?]
I think it’s YOUR layout and you should do what makes YOU happy, regardless what any of us say. You may experience problems with the Bigboy on the inner tracks, but I guess you won’t be using it as a switcher anyway. I personally would go with flex track on the outside and make as large a radius as you can to make it look better and run smoother without binding it up.
sell your house, buy a big older house, get divorced, use the entire living/dining area for your railroad, use 40 inch min radii. quit dreaming about mission impossible, do it right for a change.
tpaulsen… that sounds like a plan, but I think 4884bigboy is only 14 years old or so…
Andrew
Hmm…Commit parents to insane assylum, convert entire house, except kitchen, 1 bath and 1 bedroom to a train room. then you can have 60" curves! [:D]
Jay
Actually I’m 13. Oh, tpaulsen, I’m doing it right already. I’ll find a way to do it, it’s not impossible. I’m on adventure[:)]. I’ll write a book someday called, “Fitting long wheel base locomotives into small places”. Sounds like a cheesy title, but I’ll work on it.[;)]
I let one of my Rivarossi 4884’s run on my son his 3x4 lay-out, It looked very silly with the boiler sticking out, but it ran! and witout letting them run, they are great to look at!
Thanks for the info, LUPO. Isn’t 3x4 awfully small for HO? Not that it is bad but, if he has one that small, he must be very creative! How old is your 4884?
We had a member run his Big Boy on our club layout. It did fine on the outside main with 34"+ radius curves, but tripped up on the other main that pinches down to 27". It tripped over a #6 switch that was not quite level. Of course that deals more with the vertical curves (ups and downs) than the horizontal curves we are talking about.
I and two other members of the Cochise & Western Model Railroad Club run Rivarossi Big Boys on the club layout with minimum 22" radius curves. I think Rivarossi claims that it can negotiate down to 18" radius curves, but the overhang would look very unrealistic at that small radius; it appears unrealistic even at 22" radius. The 28" or 36" radius curves look far better.