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It really all kind of depends on exactly how "prototypical" you want the layout to look. I have 22, 18 & 15 inch radius on my layout and I love big steam. This creates some appearance problems unless you're at the right angle. I have run my Big Boy & Challenger on my 18" radius and the boiler overhang is immense! But, since I don't have room for 40" radius (that would have been the real Big Boys' minimum) I make do with what I have. They are still cool to run. I hope to add a cab forward to the roster soon. I also have 72' and 85' passenger cars and on the 18' they look quite strange unless you are down to eye level on the track. They look OK on the 22" and am sure that on 24" or greater they would look more realistic. I do have a 4-8-2 light mountain that will run on the 18" nicely and looks quite nice doing it. I will run (grudgingly) on the 15" but I only run it on that to access the reversing section. I have numerous F7's and they do fine on both the 18 & 15 inch. They look very at home on both. So, in summation, it's your railroad. Do what makes you happy! There are alway rivet counters that will find something that isn't prototypical. But, then it's not their railroad. I've even made up my own lighting rules for the DV&W!!!! So if I want to run class lights or rear markers, I just turn them on!
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