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[quote user="NeO6874"] now, in hopes of not refueling a flame war.... Like you said (as have others) sometimes the "appearance" doesn't matter, just that they will negotiate the radius you have available. IMO - this almost causes a double standard to develop - there's the standard of having an authentic representation of some of the greatest pieces of machinery every developed (including, but not limited to K-4's, Atlantics, Challengers, Mallets, Consolidations, Americans, um... <all the rest of the steam loco wheel arrangements>) but on the other hand being able to market this to more people than those who have the space to make the 30"+ radii curves or the 150'+ straightaways to make a coal drag look "good".  In order to do this, (as a good portion of other posters have said), we have to cut corners/modify/etc most everything that hits the high iron. Personally, I hope to be able to one day accurately model some part of the PRR or NYC or NKP or some other road.  I have high expectations of what I want to do - <UL> <LI>entirely hand-laid (scale) 39' rail (hey, the REAL Railroads did it this way, so why can't I?) <LI>as close to 100% accurate locos, cars, etc (ie all wheels flanged, <LI>enough space to put in a prototype yard/engine facility <LI>enough space for curves large enough to handle everything reliably, AND look excellent while doing so... </LI></UL>Now, my reality will be more along these lines: <UL> <LI>sectional and/or flex-track <LI>locos/cars modified to fit my constraints <LI>yard/engine facility scaled WAY back to fit the space i actually have <LI>curves that are small enough to fit said available space</LI></UL> (hey, that sounds like all of us...) So perhaps it is "cheesy" to have a massive (~130') locomotive be able to track a curve that an ~80' car can't (although said locomotive isn't a rigid 130')... but we have to live with these deviations from reality in order to fit out basement empires IN our basement (and within some form of a budget)... I guess what I'm trying to say is that, after a day's work, as long as you can sit back and watch the trains roll over the high-iron to destinations unknown, then does it really matter if we aren't 100% true to prototype? [/quote]   If you agree that everyone compromises in some way....I am 100% behind you.  Some of us, because we lack the real estate, compromise in the size of our layouts.  But who is to say users of 18" or 22" curves are LESS PROTOTYPICAL than those who are using scale radius BUT so-called "steam engines" that don't run off of REAL coal and water?  Diesel engines that do not run off of petroleum products, I hate to say it, are NOT BEING PROTOTYPICAL...and you are compromising just as much as putting a heavyweight coach around 22" radius. Face it, if you make a face for those who run big stock around tight curves---unless you got HO live-steam engines and real diesel fuel intoxicating your hobby room, you are compromising BIG TIME. Thus, a "model steam locomotive" that does not run off REAL STEAM is at best a TOY.  So all you pesky types shouting to others "your layout isn't prototypical...." must get a grip...you are at best, playing with neato looking toys yourself.
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