aristo streamliner curves

[pirate lynn]

Simple question (hopefully)--I'm redesigning my backyard railway and it's not complicated but what I need to know is:  how much of a curve do I need to run my Aristocraft Streamliners (A and B unit diesels with probably 3 cars)?  I'm assuming I'll get LGB 16000 track but I wanted some veteran input.  Won't be using any switches--just regular curves.  Thanks for answering this "dummy's" question!

[ztribob]

Some of my curves are only 8 foot diameter and I run an Aristo FA-1, FB-1 and usually five Aristo streamliners with no trouble.  I have run 10 streamliners behind the FA-1 and FB-1 but they don't like to pull them up my grades with the tight curves.

Bob

 

[pirate lynn]

Thanks, Bob.  I figured 8 to 10 feet would work okay and your post helped.  You mentioned grades but what's about the max number of streamliners your A and B units can pull on flat track?  I've only got four cars so I figure I'm okay--what are your thoughts?

 

Lynn

[ztribob]

pirate lynn

Thanks, Bob.  I figured 8 to 10 feet would work okay and your post helped.  You mentioned grades but what's about the max number of streamliners your A and B units can pull on flat track?  I've only got four cars so I figure I'm okay--what are your thoughts?

 

Lynn

Lynn,

I have two sets of streamliners and two sets of A B units.  So I usually run five in each.  I was going to say that I thought I could pull all ten with one set, but I decided to check and be sure.  My level part of the track is not totally level but the part that is the most level has the largest curves (there are a couple of 8 foot diameter sections in it but most of it is at least 10 foot diameter and some is larger than that.  This part is a large loop with about 1% grade on some of it.  Both of my A B units pulled all ten streamliners with no trouble at all.  One set of my A B units has extra weight added to them but the other set is as it came from Aristo.  They didn't seem to slow down much on the 1% grade and I'm sure they could have pulled another couple of streamliners if I had them.  If I had thought about it while I was out there I would have added a few freight cars to see how far I could go. 

Bob