Hello All,
NVSRREarly diesels like box cabs and industrial type existed as early as the late 1920's.
I also have several box cabs and they do run well on the tight curves of my pike.
Two of these box cabs are the track cleaner variant.
I have converted all of them from DC to DCC without much trouble.
The only problem with the ones I own is that the original gearing is SO low that they aren't practical for more than maybe one or two cars, and the 3% grade is definitely out of the question.
There was an article on the NMRA website about rebuilding these box cabs with the Northwest Shortline Stanton Drives with a DCC upgrade.
This upgrade, which I have not done yet, looks promising.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
to the Model Railroader forums. Your first few posts will be delayed by the moderators. That will end pretty quick. Please stick it out and join in our conversations.
As stated above, the 0-6-0 is your safe bet. A later Bachmann is probably the best option. Try to avoid early Bachmann "train set" quality models.
Have fun!
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I have run a Bachmann 4-4-0 on 15" Atlas track - the 1900's version which I think is not currently being produced, but is probably available used.
Paul
In the prototypeworld. Such sharp curves do exist. Look up philadelphia pa. Canal street. Reading RR used to run 0-4-0(one still exists at strasburg rr. 1123). Pulling 40 and 50 foot cars on curves that can almost be described as 90 degree right angles more than a curve. In a series of reverse s curves to boot. Just for refference of real world senerios. Early diesels like box cabs and industrial type existed as early as the late 1920's. And would quickly find a home there. Just in case you cannt find a steam engine that cannt negotiates tje track you have
0-4-0. 0-4-0t. And the 6 wheel counter part where found in such tight radious senerios
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
On my HO pike I have asymmetrical curves made from 15- and 18-inch sectional track- -half the curve is one radii while the other half is the other radii.
For my "Olde Tyme" excursion train I run a USRA 0-6-0 with a Vanderbilt tender. This loco pulls a combi car, a low sided gondola with seating, two passenger cars and a bobber caboose. The cars are 48-feet and the gon is 30-feet.
This train not only negotiates the 15-inch curves but also passes through an unavoidable S curve in the trackwork.
I also have a 3% grade made with 18- and 22-inch radii sectional track. A 0-4-0 Side Tank Porter is used as a helper up this grade.
I would think an old Mantua 0-4-0 would run OK. About anything without leading or trailing trucks would be OK especially if you can find them with the center driver(s) blind.
Being limited to tight space for my railroad, I have had to install a few 15" radius turns and I was wondering if anyone could tell me a good Steam Locomotive that would operate on the 15" radius turns.