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"big boy" radius

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  • Member since
    July 2002
  • From: California
  • 3,722 posts
Posted by AggroJones on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 9:41 PM
Yup. If you have a 22" loop and 24" paralleling. You won't be able to run anything on the adjacent track.

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  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Boston
  • 2,226 posts
Posted by Budliner on Monday, March 15, 2004 3:17 PM
I have 18'"
I have the cab foward I say go with 22" or bigger
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 15, 2004 10:38 AM
Big boys look horrible on anything less than 36" curves.

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Utah
  • 47 posts
Posted by blueriver on Monday, March 15, 2004 10:31 AM
Thanks for all the responses. I will plan for as big a curve as possible in the room I have. Thanks for the information.

One more question for Eriediamond. Where is your club located? If it is in the area close to me, is it possible for me to visit and see your layout?
Thanks.

blueriver
  • Member since
    March 2016
  • 1,447 posts
Posted by Eriediamond on Monday, March 15, 2004 7:59 AM
Good point Fergie!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Out on the Briny Ocean Tossed
  • 4,240 posts
Posted by Fergmiester on Monday, March 15, 2004 6:40 AM
I also have a Rivarossi BB and it can negotiate 18" curves. However the track has to be perfect and as stated by all above it doesn't look good.

If you have doble track you will also have to account for the the overhang and body length so you don't take out any cars/engines on the other track.

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  • Member since
    March 2016
  • 1,447 posts
Posted by Eriediamond on Monday, March 15, 2004 6:08 AM
Blueriver, We operate bigboy and other articulateds on our club layout routinely. We have 22" radius curves on it and they give no touble there but will say they have a lot of over hang even on 22" curves. A thought for you here. Make sure you make considerations for this over hang when doing your senery[:)][:)]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 15, 2004 4:50 AM
According to the April 02 edition of MR, the Trix BB can operate on
"18 inch radius although with considerable overhang as the instruction
booklet warns".

www.trixtrains.com

Other MR reviews also state that the the Riv Allegheny & LL 2-8-8-2
will also operate on 18" however IMO this is too restrictive.

Since you are in the planning stage, the bigger the better. Don't settle
on the Minimum.
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Utah
  • 47 posts
"big boy" radius
Posted by blueriver on Sunday, March 14, 2004 10:36 PM
I am designing a new layout and will be purchasing some HO scale "Big Boy" locomotives. Before I do, I need to know the minimum turning radius of an HO scale big boy locomotive so I can plan accordingly. Will someone let me know what it is?

Thanks.

blueriver

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