easements

[Anonymous]

Are easements necessary on 30" radius curves? If not, at what radius should they be used?

[Anonymous]

There are two criteria for easments: operation and appearance. If you have large wheelbase locomotives or passenger cars with diaphragms you will need easements just for operation, otherwise they may be used to help appearance. Even when easements are not essential, they may improve reliable operation.

Assuming you are in HO Scale I recommend the following . . .
4-wheel truck diesels, operation easements up to 24 in rad.
6-wheel truck diesels, operation easements up to 28 in rad.
Mogul or 0-6-0 switchers, operation easements up to 24 in rad.
Consolidation, Pacific or 0-8-0 switcher, operation easements up to 28 in rad.
Mikado, Mountain, operation easements up to 32 in rad.
Articulated locomotives, operation easements up to 36 in rad. (maybe more)

Any curve in plain view would benifit from an appearance standpoint with easements up to 60 in radius. After that it becomes difficult to notice.

Some manufacturers report 'Minimum radius' but I would use easements if you get close to that value. Easements are a great value if you have the patients to lay them out properly. It doesn't do any good if there is a small kink in the track between the end of the easement and the main curve. I use a trick where a turnout can form an easement curve when you use higher numbered turnouts at the ends of curves.

Good Luck - Ed

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply. You assumed correctly about being in HO. I was thinking of running Mikados and going narrow gauge to mix things up until I found out that mikados aren't yet available in HOn3. My layout is HO, but I was thinking of adding a narrow guage intersection between standard and narrow guage. Sounds like I'll have to forget the narrow gauge for now.

By the way, where can I get Mikados?

[Anonymous]

Pick up a copy of Model Railroader and you will see a mess of ads for 'em. If you're on a budget, I recommend the IHC plastic models. I have a Consolidation and my son has a Mogul. - Ed

[Anonymous]

MR had a great discussion of easements in their Washita & Santa fe series a few years back. I think that they reprinted that series in one of Kalmbach's books.

Based on this article, this is what I did on my layout which has 30" radius curves. I started with an easement at 48" radius for a six inch chord. Then used a 36" radius for another six inch chord. This transitioned into the 30" radius. I set up a template for this so I didn't have to keep remeasuring for each curve.

[Anonymous]

Ed, you are right about the IHC being good inexpensive models, but I was told to avoid the 2-8-2. I have the Consol, it runs well, and even has a flywheel for smooth slow speed running. However, the detail is not up to what Bachmann and Athearn have on their nicest models. Which also means they have fewer small parts to break...
I would recommend the Athearn Mikado, if the expense and slight fragility are not too daunting. List is $150, but can be had for less if you are willing to go over the internet. List on the IHC is $100, but I would not pay that, you can get them for $60 online. (I got my Consol for $30! I am kitbashing it into a cheap 0-8-0 by removing the front truck and modifying/shortening the pilot.) Also, Rivarossi has Mikados, listing at $130, and these would be preferable to the IHC, but not up to the modern standards of the Athearn Genisis 2-8-2. The new Rivarossi does have a can motor, old ones on ebay will not, nor have the RP25 contour wheels. I would not recommend ebay except for rare items, prices don't seem to be any better than retail! So, what's the point in that?!? I'd rather go to the store, look around, and pay taxes that are lower than the shipping charge on ebay, plus have it home the same day. Plus, I like the guys at the hobby stores, help keep them in business.
Dean

[Anonymous]

Oh, by the way, MDC has a narrow guage consol (as well as a narrow guage Shay.) Those are the only two affordable narrow guage locos that I know of, but the 2-8-0 might work for you, unless you are firm on the Mikado.