The closer you get to the 'real' engineered limits, the higher the probability that you will encounter derailments, especially if you use flex or hand-lay...depending on your skill and attention to detail. I use a template for my minimum curves. If you're going to use sectional track, you should be okay, provided you don't make obvious kinks at the joints, with the minimum stated by BLI.
As the others are saying, whatever extra radius inches you can eke out of your available space, even if you have to tweak your idea a bit, you'd also be able to run some larger brass...maybe. Plan for future contingencies...none of us knows what the hobby bug will bring us to hanker after and purchase to run.
BLI says it will run on 18" There are a couple Youtube videos, they don't mention the radius but one is running on sectional track, so that is 22" at the most.
It's going to look better if the radius is closer to 30 than to 20.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Hello All,
!!!
What is the size of the area you have to work with?
Shape- -around the room, island, module?
Operation- -Continuous loop, point to point, switching?
Do you have a track plan in mind?
Scale?
Control- -Direct Current (DC) or Digital Command Control (DCC)?
The manufacturer of the locomotive should have a website.
Check out the "minimum recommended radius" for that particular model, no matter the scale. This might also help you with future track planning.
In HO scale, with the locomotive you are referring to, I would suggest a minimum radius of 36-inches, with turnouts no smaller than #6.
For better reliability and aesthetics I would suggest #8 turnouts in HO scale.
Please keep the updates coming.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
In the planning stages for my first layout in years. Am considering running the Decapod. Looking for some comments on what minimum radius I should use for both operational reliability and, equally important, appearance.