A good rule of thumb in G scale is to go with the largest diameter curve that you can. Indoors, I have r1 as it fits the ceiling loop in our living room. But outdoors on my raised railway, I am using Piko 10' diameter curves and when I rebuild my curved sections on the outdoor layout, I am going to go up to the new LGB R7 which I believe is 15.5' diameter. Bigger really is better when your talking curve diameter in model trains. That said, LGB during the Lehmann years had the R1 rule, where all locomotives had to go around the tightest curve. Many do not like it or look good doing it. The Moguls like to wear out axle gears and slow down alot in R1 curves. The F units and White Pass diesel will snake right around R1 curves with no problem, but they do look odd doing it. But no more odd than Lionel F3's and passenger cars in O gauge! Mike
Echoing all....We built with R1 curves because that is what we had on hand. Even with our smaller and narrow-gauge profile locos, the sharp curves can be distracting visually. In the "Grand Do-Over," I would have invested in wider curves and redesigned the railroad. Instead, I try to use plantings, structures, and landscaping to create viewplanes and visual blocks, but that only goes so far.
Eric
LGB engineers everything they make to negotiate R1 (4 foot diameter) curves, but as stated they really wierd doing so, even R2 (5' diameter) pushes it. So recommendation is the bigger the cars the wider the turns, this also puts less strain on the engines gears. As said above, R3 or 8' diameter is the best choice. If by some miracle you can still find Aristo or USA 6.5' diameter that can work well also but 8' D is best.
Have fun with your trains
Hello, I would recommend to not go tighter than 16000,4 foot radius, 8 foot diameter.It might run on tighter curves, but it ain't gonna like it!
Paul
( rule of thumb is largest curves you are able to fit)
I have recently purchased a LGB F7 passengler locomotive and 3 standard passemger cars. What is the minimum radius of curve track should I plan to use?
Get the Garden Railways newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month