Steam - Minimum Radius

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
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I am sketching up plans for a lumber operation in a mountain scene circa 1950 (though the exact dates are not that extrememly important to me). In the mountains I intend to use a single small steam loco (probably a 2-4-0, or 0-4-0, something of this size) and purchased rolling stock. I want to know the minimum curve radius I can get away with, while still maintaining reliability. Elesewhere on the layout I am using large steam loco’s w/large freight and passenger cars so the curves there will be 22". Would you recommend Code100 track (the cheapest is always better on my budget)? In short, I am just looking for hints, advice, etc. I have read several good books by kalmbach and others, but wanted some personal insight, mostly because those books tend to elaborate the simple stuff, and then get vague near the more advanced. Also, I don’t fully understand the theory of Easements. A short sharper curve can be used breifly at the start of a curve, as long as the remainder of the curve is no sharper than the minimum radius, is this correct?

Thanks for your advice, and any other notes you might want to add for a Beginner in the hobby. If you don’t want to clutter up this forum, and have some advice you would like to impart you can email me at this_ride_sucks@hotmail.com. (Yes, that is my real address.) (If you know of a great book all the way around that is a great crash-course in this hobby that covers most of the factors of making a railroad, but doesn’t skip topics like wiring, or ballast, that you would recommend, you would be my hero!)

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You don’t say what scale you are modeling in, although from the rail weight and minimum mainline radius I gather it is HO. If your cars do not exceed 40 ft. scale length, you ought to get by with 15 inch minimum radius for your logging line. Kalmbach publishes several books that should meet your needs and you should be able to find them on this website.

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Justin,
Easements are as they sound, they ease into a curve, therefore you start with a larger radius reducing down to the required radius. I wouldn’t recommend a short sharp curve at the start unless it was a very slow area and absolutely nessessary (in a industry). As Gregg said there are some good books available and don’t forget to search for some back issues of MR as a source of info.