3rd Rail NYC Mercury rated as O-54 min on O-42 layout?

[NYC Train Nut]

Hi everybody!  First time poster, medium term lurker ;-)

I've finished my benchwork and am finalizing layout plans.  I'd like to add a 3rd Rail NYC Mercury to my engine stock.  My layout has minimum curves of O-42 (a few curves have O-72 lead-ins where I could fit them) but the website calls out "054 Track Operation or Larger".

 Does anyone know if it's feasible to really run this engine or is the O54-to-O42 difference too large to risk?  Anybody have  any experience directly with this 3rd Rail Mercuy engine or with a similar 4-6-4 O-54 min curve rated engine?

 Thanks in advance for your help!

[rtraincollector]

it may run on O42 but the recomened O54 is probably due to a few things. It may cause unseen damage. I personally wouldn't do it.

[NYC Train Nut]

Rtraincollector:

What kinds of unseen damage do you think it could cause?  Metal shavings from drive wheel flanges coming off and getting into the motors?

Thanks for the advice!  I appreciate it!

[laz 57]

NYC TRAIN NUT to the forum.

As RT said the smaller radius could cause some damage to flanges and also traction tires or maybe not?  I have the Lionel FEF in legacy and have both 0-72 curves as well as 0-54 curves.  It is recomended that the FEF runs on 0-72 but I have ran it on 0-54 curves with no ill effects.  If it doesn't jump the curves with pilots or drivers then you are probably going to be all right?  But to be on the safe side I would closely monitor the track for metal shavings and check those traction tires.  Hope this helps?

laz57

[NYC Train Nut]

Thanks for the welcome, Laz!  You are one cool dude

I think I'll roll the dice, make the purchase, and watch for shavings in both the traction tires & track per your comment.  My roundhouse would be a sad, lonely place without that Mercury hanging out near a Dreyfuss Hudson and Empire State Express!!!

Cheers,

NYC Train Nut

[Hudson#685]

NYC Train Nut,

  Welcome! Did I hear Dryfuss Hudson?

John

[laz 57]

NYC Train Nut

Thanks for the welcome, Laz!  You are one cool dude

I think I'll roll the dice, make the purchase, and watch for shavings in both the traction tires & track per your comment.  My roundhouse would be a sad, lonely place without that Mercury hanging out near a Dreyfuss Hudson and Empire State Express!!!

Cheers,

NYC Train Nut

NYC TRAIN NUT,

  WOW!  That's some stable you got there.  Please take some pics when you get that baby, would love to see them.  I too have the NYC ESE from Lionel with all the passenger cars, it is mt very favorite.  Also have the NYC Dryfuss in MTH Premier.  NYC is my fav road name in steam, and NS in deisel.  Have fun with those babies.

Stya frosty,

laz57

[Bob.M]

 I was curious as to what a 3rd rail Mercury was. I found a picture of one:

http://www.3rdrail.com/mercury.htm

Is this what you are talking about? I somehow had thought you meant the third rail off to the side, such as is used on various commuter lines. 

[NYC Train Nut]

Bob,

Yes, that the one!  I kept bumping into it learning about New York Central history for the midwest portion of the network.  I think it's a pretty cool engine.  If I recall correctly, the drive wheels had a luminescent coating so that it looked like the train was sprinting through the air at night...thus the title "Mercury."  I believe the model has a light over the drive wheels.

It's very interesting to see the differences between the Commodore Vanderbilt, Mercury, Empire State Express, and the Dreyfuss Hudson.  Although they're all cool engines, I'm partial to the Empire State Express since it serviced western New York!

[NYC Train Nut]

John,

Yes sir.  I'm in the market for a Dreyfuss Hudson now.  I have several other standard Hudsons, but the Dreyfuss is a real beauty!

I need to build my Korber roundhouse, get the track down, and put those awesome streamlined steamers in there!

If you have any suggestions if you prefer the Lionel or MTH varieties, I'm all ears.  I'd like to get one with scullin wheels to match the Empire State Express, but would consider the other wheel type if it's more historically realistic.  I've seen photos with both wheel types, so it's only aesthetics at this point.  My only real restriction if O-42 curves, so I think that eliminates those crazy long tenders.