Hello all -
working on my “first” HO layout. I have an opportunity to buy a tenshodo PFM Great Northern R-2 2-8-8-2 engine, however… I have never owned or saw how these articulated engines work. I have layed out a Kato unitrack et up, and have a large oval portion with 22.5 radius curves. Does anyone know what the minimum turn radius is on this model? Also, how much space do I need for the engine block as it articulates on a turn - - ?
[:D] Thanks in advance!
You are going to have lots of ‘overhang’ with that model. I have seen them operate on a club layout, and they did get around 32" radius quite well. 22.5" radius? - Maybe, but the overhang to the outside of the curve will be quite large, and the tender drawbar will need to be in the last position. These brass articulates will not operate around sharp curves as well as the ‘new’ models. They are articulated only on the front engine(like the prototype).
Jim
I have a pair of them and although I’ve never tested them to see how tight a radius they would take I would say anything under a 28-30 radius will probably bind them up or make them derail. That is a BIG engine and requires a larger than normal radius.
If yu want a GN articulated that will ake a smaller radius and want brass I would suggest the 2-6-8-0 or the 2-6-6-2, these will both take a smalller radius although they will still have a fair amount of “overhang” on your curves.
To be fair, anything bigger than a small 2-8-2 isn’t going to like those 22" radius very much.
Mark
Thank you , Mark & Jim -
this info is a real big help, and allows me to keep some cash in my pocket. I was thinking it may be a problem, but, having never really seen them in action, I was not sure.
Do you think a 4-8-4 would cause problems?
In brass, without a doubt, in plastic it would probably just looked funny…
Mark
are there any good plastic steam engine manufacturers? I see a lot of brass on eBay—and the detail is nice, but the co$t… yikes!
The early Tenshodo 4-8-4’s, the S-1’s, will take a 22" radius curve. Says so in the catalog, and I’ve got two that will fit. I would imagine the later ones would, too; but I don’t have experience with them. Too bad about the R-2. I’ve got one and it’s something else. The gears are noisy, though. But it runs smooth as a watch. Around 32" curves. Or so.
Ed
Not sure about the Tenshodo but BLI has their Paragon 2, N&W 2-8-8-2 that they say will run on a 18 inch track radius. Not sure if I believe that or not, but even if it does it probably looks ridiculous.
I have a few articulateds including 2 brass and they run on my 18 inch curves, but not without A LOT of fuss with both the engines and the track. I wishnow I woud have listened and made all 24 inch curves or more.
Curious as to ehich engines you have. By the way…
Wow! [:O]What an amazing layout!!!
Thanks, Ed. I have seen a number of s-1 4-8-4s out there so this is very helpful.