Athearn passenger cars

[Anonymous]

Before I get too excited about putting a second line on my barely started layout, I was wondering what radius curve the HO scale Athearn passenger cars can handle.
Example: http://www.discounttrainsonline.com/dto/item140-7805.html
I'm hoping for 18" radius, because that's what I have room for. But of course, I always know... bigger is better.
Thanks for the opinions,
chewie8han

[AggroJones]

Yes they can handle 18" and yes they do look "silly" doing so. The coupler pockets stick out far from the body, which allows for tighter curves.

[AntonioFP45]

Chewie8han,

In case no one told you earlier this year: Welcome Aboard.

I used to own Athearn passenger cars in the New Haven and Amtrak schemes. They can handle 18 radius with no problems. It's not prototypical but understantable if a modeler with limited space has no choice but to use 18 radius.

Give us some details about your plans, layout, theme etc.

Cheers!

[Anonymous]

I will piggy back off Antonio's remark(Welcome) and I believe the trucks have wider lateral swing.
For what its worth, I believe Athearn sells axle wiper light kits for this style if not
already installed

[Anonymous]

If any of you post over at Bachmann's website, you'll know that I'm anything BUT prototypical. I could care less. I just go with what I like to look at.
At the moment, I'm running a sort of Dogbone looped track with an Amtrak Acela train (thank you Boscov's for the SUPERSWEET deal). I have a small carinival(IHC rides) and rural setting on one end, and am in the process of building a small city on the other end. I'm still fairly new (since Christmas), so it's still on the floor. Gonna work this summer on building an actual layout. At the moment it's about 5.5' x 10.5'

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by chewie8han

If any of you post over at Bachmann's website, you'll know that I'm anything BUT prototypical. I could care less. I just go with what I like to look at.

Glad to see that you upgraded.

You 're the President and can do what you wish, me too, and I account to no one.

Did you respond to the age posting?

[Anonymous]

I've only managed to buy one Athearn passenger car (a "Work Train" baggage), but they seem ok. I'd like to get hold of full sets of the heavyweight and streamlined cars in SF livery - one set would go with an Athearn PA A-B-A set, the other with an Athearn F7 A-B-B-A set - that would look very nice!

[AntonioFP45]

Chewie,

Any plans on adding interiors and then "lighting up your Athearns?"

In case you are, you can get the Rivorossi plastic interior kits which are very easy to install but they would be too long in length. Time to play "Train Surgeon".

Quick procedure: For your coaches and diners cut off the vestibule sections on the interior kit. With some simple trimming they'll fit. Paint your seats a neutral color such as brown, dark blue, or dark green. Paint your diner's seats a neutral color but then paint your table tops white to simulate the cloth. Diner Kitchen: All Silver to represent stainless steel. Use similar techniques for observations and sleepers.

The Athearn windows have a distorted view. You can purchase some thin plexiglass or real glass and cut it to one inch wide strips. Apply glue on the sections that will go above and below the window openings. Wala! Your Athearns passenger cars will look noticeably sharper and more realistic! You can then add lighting.

BTW: I believe that Model Power also makes '72 foot passenger cars for layouts with tight radiuses. The cars already come with interiors and underbody details.

Hope this helps![:D][8D][8)][:P][:)][tup]

[CP5415]

I have a complete set of Athearn CPR heavy weights & they have had no problems going around 18" curves even at speed.
I have had experiments with Walthers & Kato's offerings, while they will go around 18" curves, I never did them at speed.

just my 2 cents

Gordon

[Anonymous]

For what it's worth, I have run my Athearns through 15" curves without difficulty. Those curves came about when I decided to try a fourth staging track inside a hidden reversing loop. While they look disgusting in that curve nobody cares because they can't be seen. On the plus side it gave me an extra track to stage yet another train.

Kurt

[Don Gibson]

Athearn 'shorties' (72') look better circumnavigating 22"r but will handle 18".
With their Tago coupler mounted trucks they'll do 15", but look 'toy' like.

Athearn' s streamlined and heavyweight Passenger cars are based on AT&SF prototype's. ConCor's 85' cars are based on AT&SF's ACF cars will handle 22"r with Talgo truck's, whereas Walthers' Super Chief cars need 24"r * -but both want 44" radii to look right.

Re: ABBA 'F' UNITS. I have my 'F's in these configuration, but frankly - on a home layout - they take up too much room (3'). They look better as ABA and AB with more cars.

* Out of the box.

[siberianmo]

For what it's worth - my previous HO layout consisted of 100 percent Athearn passenger cars along with perhaps 80% freight and all ran on 18" radius.

That layout - now a memory - was designed to accommodate four trains running independently of one another on separate main lines. Just be sure to have the proper clearances at the curves, if you are into multiple main lines, and you'll be fine ......

See ya![tup]