track questions

[train lover12]

i have been trying to figure something out in my head for a while but i cant seem to figure it out su im trying here okay here goes

what # are bachmann remote switches or do they not have a number ?

and, what radius curves would i need if i wanted to run a big boy loco on them?

thanks in advance for responces

[tomikawaTT]

I'm not familiar with the Bachmann switches, so I can only offer this:

If they are a drop-in match for a plain curved section of Bachmann track (as Atlas snap-switches are for Atlas snap-track) they are built to that curvature, not to a number.  If they have integrated ballast this is extremely likely.

What curve radius is needed for a Big Boy is somewhat dependent on which Big Boy you're running.  In HO, the old Rivarossi model (and, I suspect, many of the newer ones from other manufacturers,) can be cajoled around an 18 inch radius.  They look seriously ugly, and their overhang is a menace to anything on the outside of the curve (like telephone poles, signals and tall relay cases) but they can make it around.  At the other end of the spectrum, some of the early brass models were limited to 30 inch radius.  The prototype could round a curve that scales down to 46 inch radius - at dead slow speed.  If I were you, I'd try to keep the radius for Big Boy rated curves 24 inches or more.  You can have tighter curves, but restrict them to smaller locomotives (by which I mean low-drivered 2-8-2s, not high-drivered Northerns.)

Hope this has been helpful.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[jeffrey-wimberly]

#4, #5, #6 and #8. Some of the Big Boys can negotiate 18" radius curves but look like they're about to fall off the planet when they do it. I would suggest a minimum of 24" radius.

[jrbernier]

The typical Bachmann EZ Track does not have a #.  These turnouts have continuous radius curves through the divirging leg of the turnout(18" radius).  Bachmann EZ Track does have larger #5 or #6 turnouts available in their EZ Track line.

  If you want to run a 'Big Boy', I would suspect you can get it through a #6 turnout, and 22" radius trackage(like the PCM/BLI Big Boy).  It will not look good and the overhang will be severe.

Jim

[cudaken]

 Main problem with the Big Boys is not the engine but the tender. Centipide are real pickey if the track is not perfectely level! I have had 3 so far, 2 Athearn and 1 PCM. 2 Athearns I gor refunds on the the PCM is in for repairs, smoke and light stopped working.

 If you really want a Mallet look at a Y-3 or Y6-b. My PCM Y6-b is all I ever hoped a steam engine could be.

 Of all my Big Boys the turnout was never a problem. They where Atalas # 6's.

 

             Cuda Ken