O gauge 72 Fastrack

[lionelsoni]

Other considerations are that the manufacturer specified a particular minimum for aesthetic rather than practical reasons, or that they did not consider all the available curvatures.  For example, MTH never claims a minimum below O31, apparently because that is the sharpest curve that they make, even though many of their models will tolerate O27.  And a model that is said to require O42 may actually work on Marx O34, which was not considered because it is no longer manufactured.

So I agree that you just have to try every model out to find what its real minimum is.

[Firelock76]

Usually if the manufacturer specifys a curve radius of  "054"  or "072"  or whatever you should take their word for it and follow the recommendations.  SOMETIMES  a minimum radius is specified  because the train won't pass through switches of less than specified without derailing  and you can get away with tighter radii without problems if it's a closed loop without switches, but not always.

The other poster's recommendation of a test track is a very good one.  Try that and see what happens.

[jefelectric]

Before you do anything to your layout.  Put together a loop of 054 on the floor and try the new train on that.  I have a Weaver Lackawanna Pocono Steamer that is supposed to require 072 and it runs fine on 054.

[wrmcclellan]

ICone the 072 track makes a 6 foot diameter circle measured across the center rails so the outside of the ballast will be over 6 feet. The 054 will just fit and you might be able to use a couple of 072 sections to lead into the 054 but you will be running on the edges of your 5 x 9. The 054 is 54 inches across the center rails and the ballast and outside rail adds another 1 5/8 inches to each side for an approximate diameter (outside ballast to outside ballast) of 57 1/4 inches. The 5 ft table is 60 inches across. 

At the worst the loco may climb the rails In curve at speed.

Good luck!

[ICone]

Rob,

Thanks for the quick reply. I was lucky enough to acquire a 1988 Lionel Hiawatha Set that says it requires 0-72 track. I know it will not run on 0-48 fastrack which is what I presently have on my layout. Do you think that it would run on the 0-54 curves. Perhaps I just don't  understand the terminology of the curve system. Thanks again for your assistance. Phil.

[ADCX Rob]

You can, but it will have to be mixed with other types.  O-54 would be ideal for a loop of track on the perimeter of a 5 x 9.

[ICone]

Can I put o gauge 72 fastrack curves on a 5 by 9 layout? I recently purchased a set which does not run on my 48 curves and would like to know if I would redo my layout to include the 72 curves. Thanks in advance for your assistance.