Trains that can go around a radius of 9 3/4

[Famaz00]

Hey guys I'm thinking about getting a 4-6-4 or something of that size for my layout that has a radius of 9 3/4 and wanted to know if that works.

[cuyama]

 Welcome to the forum. Your first few posts are moderated and so may be delayed. But that passes quickly.

Famaz00

Hey guys I'm thinking about getting a 4-6-4 or something of the that size for my layout that has a radius of 9 3/4 and wanted to know if that works

Without some modifications to the engine, that may be challenging. Bachmann lists minimum radii for its current N scale steamers and all are 11¼” or larger. While some of them might be coaxed around 9¾” curves, the 4-wheel leading and trailing truck versions might be especially finicky. The only real way to know for sure on your trackwork would be to try it – as long as you can return the engine for a refund if it doesn't work.

Some older models may get down to 9-10" radii. There was an old ConCor 4-6-4 that was reputed to go around 9" radii in a Model Railroader review. But that's porbably very close to the limit.

Finding a way to broaden the curves would be a big help in terms of appearance and performance.

I have neither N scale steamers nor curves that sharp to test, but others may have more direct experience to share.

Good luck with your layout.

Byron

Edit: I just remembered and re-read an MR (4/96) review for the excellent KATO Mikado (2-8-2), which also claimed a minimum radius of 9". So it may be possible, depending on the quality of your trackwork.

[BRAKIE]

Famaz00

Hey guys I'm thinking about getting a 4-6-4 or something of that size for my layout that has a radius of 9 3/4 and wanted to know if that works.

 

I know first hand 4-6-2s,2-8-0s, and 2-8-2s can go around 9 3/4" curves.

I don't think you will have any issues with a 4-6-4..

My first  N Scale loop layout feature 9 3/4" curves and I used Atlas light 4-6-2s and several 2-8-2s. That was my one and only steam powered N Scale layout. I built several N Scale diesel powered switching layouts starting in '68.

[SeeYou190]

to the Model Railroader forum pages. Your first few posts will be delayed by the moderation staff, but that will end pretty soon. Please stick around and join in our conversations.

.

I built several layouts in N scale that used 9 3/4 inch radius curves in the 80s and 90s. Back then I had a Bachmann 4-8-4, a Kato PA-1, and a Model Power RSD-15. These were my largest locomotives, and all of them would go through 9 3/4 inch radius curves without any problems at all. None of my Micro-Trains freight cars ever had problems.

.

I have been told by current N scalers that all current equipment, except for Scale Trains locomotives, will run through curves as small as 11 inch radius.

.

Have you experimented with your 4-6-4 on this size of a curve?

.

-Kevin

.

[beezer]

[quote user="Famaz00"]

Hey guys I'm thinking about getting a 4-6-4 or something of that size for my layout that has a radius of 9 3/4 and wanted to know if that works.

 i made a Christmas layout years ago to fit in a bay window. Curves are 8 3/4 in. radius. My Con Cor Hudson, a 4-6-4, negotiates that oval very nicely.

 

ave a Christmas display layout

[Tinplate Toddler]

cuyama

I just remembered and re-read an MR (4/96) review for the excellent KATO Mikado (2-8-2), which also claimed a minimum radius of 9". So it may be possible, depending on the quality of your trackwork.

I can confirm that! Also, Kato´s C62 4-6-4 negotiates a 9 3/4" radius curve.

[gthomson]

A trolley will handle that radius no problems