I am looking at bidding on or buying this or similar items. However, one of the listings reports that this engine requires 22" radius. Other listings make no mention. Seller does not really know. There is no mention of this on the box, but he heard from another source. I have not heard back from the manufacturer yet.
Does anyone know about this one? I am just creating my layout (small) and have larger locomotives that can run on my 18" radius. Being a newbie, that’s why I am puzzled.
Locomotive (model) size is not the sole determining factor in how tight a curve a model will go around. The more prototypically correct a model is, the larger (closer to prototype minimum) the minimum radius.
If the tender is prototypically correctly spaced from the locomotive, it will require a much larger radius. Many models come with draw bars that allow setting of a close to prototype distance, and a much longer distance so that there is clearance for tighter turns. It is highly likely that an HO USRA 0-8-0 with a prototypical tender to locomotive distance will require 30" or more minimun radius, AND the model probably comes with a multi-position draw bar as mentioned above that will allow operation on smaller radius.
also, those larger locos either have some horizontal “slop” in the drivers so they can squeeze around the curves, or they might be “blind-drivered” (flangeless) in the center driver(s) - or may even have a combination of both blind drivers and horizontal slop…
Before I had a permanent layout, my P2K 0-8-0s would negotiate #4 snap switches and 18" radius curves, with cars, just fine.
Cisco,
I have three 2-8-2 Mikes for three different manufacturers and they all negotiate 18" radius curves and Atlas Snap turnouts without any problems. The Proto 2000 0-8-0 shouldn’t have any problems with 18" radius either.
Tom
the radius issue only comes into play when, and if, the weather curtians are installed, as they can hit on the coal boards on the tender in the tighter turns.
I suspect that you will find it able to traverse a #4.5 turnout, and probably 18" radii, but it will be tight. The advantage is that this is a low drivered loco, a switcher, and will not have the considerably larger driver wheelbase of a Mikado. I would say that a Mike would need 22" in order to function reliably and with any speed, but I am sure there are some versions out there that will still negotiate 18" curves.
Walthers 2006 HO scale catalog does not indicate what the minimum radius requirement is for this locomotive, but they can probably tell you if you send them an e-mail and ask.
Have 3 of them they have no problem handling a 18 in ra.
My P2K Mikes and 0-8-0 switchers will do 18" radius no problem. Visually the Mike will look better on larger radii. There isn’t enough difference in all actuality in the driver diameter between the model Mikados and 0-8-0 switchers to make 18" radius a problem. The earlier poster that mentioned a 30" minimum for the switcher hasn’t a clue as regards Proto 2000 steam locos; if we had to have that large of a curve (in HO) for a switcher than we’d all need a gym to have our layouts in.
Thanks a lot for all the input. Man this is fun, and I am just still planning my layout and collecting equipment.