Car length N Scale

[Anonymous]

Is there a rule somewhere of what the smallest radius can be for a given car length?

My son was going through the Walther's catalog today making up his "wish list".

He listed some cars that were 89'. Smallest radius we have on this layout is 9 3/4. We're still working on this one that was handed down to us incomplete but we're already thinking about the next layout...

Tim T.

[Anonymous]

Well, that all depends. Many many many moons ago, I ran 80' cars on 9 3/4" radius. You first have to have truck mounted couplers. Then you have to make sure that there is enough clearance, because when those cars go around those tight curves, the middle and ends of those cars stick waaay out.

And you will only be able to run so many of them, because when a car hangs over that far, it doesn't take much to derail that car.

---jps

[Anonymous]

For what it's worth....
The only rule I follow is to create curves with the largest radius possible given the space provided for the layout. I would like a bare minimum of 13" to 15" if you have the space available. Also, start curves with easements on each end of the curve. This will help guide the locos and cars through the curves.
Hope this helps.
Roger

[egmurphy]

As jps commented, it'll probably go around the sharp curves. Virtually all N scale rolling stock has truck mounted couplers so (other than checking to be sure that this is the case with this particular car) it's really more of a clearance and looks issue. Longer cars coupled with very sharp curves will look a bit unrealistic.

Having said that, kids (especially ones relatively new to the hobby) are notoriously not very picky when it comes to prototype looks. If he's already looking at that type of equipment, you might consider getting one to try it out. The worse that can happen is that you both decide it doesn't look good and it stays in the box until you get started on 'the next layout'.

ymmv

Ed

[IRONROOSTER]

This page http://www.nmra.org/standards/rp-11.html on the NMRA's site gives some recommendations. These certainly aren't a rule, but following these will help with operations. Even if the 85' car can get around the curve you may have derailment problems as others have noted above.

On the other hand this hobby is supposed to be fun and if you only have room for 9 3/4" curves and want to run 85 ft cars then go for it. You may have to live with some limitations or tinker with the cars, but do what gives you enjoyment.

Enjoy
Paul