I got a layout with 2 loops on 22 inches the other 24 and Im wondering what I can and cant run on my track is there a way I can tell thanx
Nick
This page on the NMRA’s site gives recommendation for different radii http://www.nmra.org/standards/rp-11.html
Enjoy
Paul
My double track is also 22 and 24"r and I run modern 6 axle locos, moden freight cars including 89ft auto racks with no problems. Your track must good with no kinks or low spots. When I add one large 6 axle to my roster it found a couple of spots that were not as good as I thought. Watch for low outside rails on curves, the other 6 axles ran good. All I had to do was fix the track and the loco run fine. The autoracks look better on the 24" r less over hang.
Nicknero,
Shorter cars will look better on tight radii because there will be less obvious overhang. You might be happy with 50’ cars or shorter. Longer cars will have trouble making the turns because the couplers will be in a slight (or worse) bind in the curves. If both of your curves are next to each other, overhang is a bigger issue, since one train passing the other will potentially (read - definitely) sideswipe the other. Hope this helps answer your questions.
Mark C.
You can’t run 50’ or greater cars or engines w/ long bases. These standards are much more rigorous if you want the layout to look prototypical.
Cheers
You CAN’T?
Gee, I’ve been running 50’ cars on 12" radius curves in HO for a while now, and they work fine (not fast, but fine!)…you CAN run them, they just don’t look as good as a broader curve.
Using truck mounted couplers and sticking with certain manufacturers you can run on some pretty tight curves, after all Lionel O27 runs on 13 1/2 " radius curves. Problem is that you can’t count on all manufacturers to do this. You also may have more derailments.
On the other hand if you want to run long cars and locomotives, but only have room for sharp or moderate curves then I say go for it. No sense running Overton 34ft passenger cars when it’s 85 ft Pullmans that you like, even if it does mean stripping the ends to allow trucks to turn and adding rerailers at the end of the curves.
Enjoy
Paul