which locmotive

[CP5415]

Ok, am I missing something here. I have an 18" curve on my layout. Mind you it's hidden in a tunnel. But I've had no problem running SD40-2's, C44-9w's Rivarossi's 85' passenger cars, these at full throttle & Rivarossi 4-6-6-4's
I've had no problems running them at speed or crawling along. It may not look correct esthetically, but since it's in a tunnel with at least an inch & a half on both sides, no one is going to see it after the tunnel is complete.

Just my 2 cents

Gordon

[CP5415]

Ok, am I missing something here. I have an 18" curve on my layout. Mind you it's hidden in a tunnel. But I've had no problem running SD40-2's, C44-9w's Rivarossi's 85' passenger cars, these at full throttle & Rivarossi 4-6-6-4's
I've had no problems running them at speed or crawling along. It may not look correct esthetically, but since it's in a tunnel with at least an inch & a half on both sides, no one is going to see it after the tunnel is complete.

Just my 2 cents

Gordon

[Wdlgln005]

If you want big locomotives on 18" track, forget HO and go with N. Use the same 18" or 19" radius on curves. Use the same ROW for most buildings & structures. Now you can run a Eunit + 6 passenger cars & the train will look great! In the same length run 2 freight engines & 20-30 freight cars with a caboose. Sidings can have 1.5" clearance for 2 train operation.

[Wdlgln005]

If you want big locomotives on 18" track, forget HO and go with N. Use the same 18" or 19" radius on curves. Use the same ROW for most buildings & structures. Now you can run a Eunit + 6 passenger cars & the train will look great! In the same length run 2 freight engines & 20-30 freight cars with a caboose. Sidings can have 1.5" clearance for 2 train operation.

[Anonymous]

To qualify in my book a loco should be able to run through a turn unattended for hours. I have yet to find any loco that will run through an 18" code 100 atlas snap track pulling at least 10 cars at about 30 scale mph. that will meet this criteria. Same with #4 turnouts. All the locos that I mentioned I have will pass this test in 22" radius, but not in 18. In fact, it's hard to even find 10 freight cars that will pass this test in 18 radius. But on 30" and 36" it's hard to find anything that will not pass this test. And another interesting point is the Atherns GP9 I have will run through 18" radius better long hood forward than the other way. I even swapped the trucks and it still runs better long hood forward? Another point on small radius is you can't run long cars or long trains, so you are limiting yourself as to what you can run. That seems like something you can live with at first, but I expect most modelers will come to not like that decesion in the future. I love long trains. The otherday I was running a train that was 26 feet long with 3 powered locos. Try that in a 22 or 15 radius.

[Anonymous]

To qualify in my book a loco should be able to run through a turn unattended for hours. I have yet to find any loco that will run through an 18" code 100 atlas snap track pulling at least 10 cars at about 30 scale mph. that will meet this criteria. Same with #4 turnouts. All the locos that I mentioned I have will pass this test in 22" radius, but not in 18. In fact, it's hard to even find 10 freight cars that will pass this test in 18 radius. But on 30" and 36" it's hard to find anything that will not pass this test. And another interesting point is the Atherns GP9 I have will run through 18" radius better long hood forward than the other way. I even swapped the trucks and it still runs better long hood forward? Another point on small radius is you can't run long cars or long trains, so you are limiting yourself as to what you can run. That seems like something you can live with at first, but I expect most modelers will come to not like that decesion in the future. I love long trains. The otherday I was running a train that was 26 feet long with 3 powered locos. Try that in a 22 or 15 radius.

[der5997]

Locomotive3
I think that the Model Power Alco C630 (I hope I've got that right) a 6 axel model, will run on 18" radius, but as you surmise, it has truck mounted couplers. I'd have to check with my next door neighbour who inherited mine, to see if I got around to body mounting the couplers, them before I gave the locos away. By that time I don't think there were 18" radius curves left on that layout.

[der5997]

Locomotive3
I think that the Model Power Alco C630 (I hope I've got that right) a 6 axel model, will run on 18" radius, but as you surmise, it has truck mounted couplers. I'd have to check with my next door neighbour who inherited mine, to see if I got around to body mounting the couplers, them before I gave the locos away. By that time I don't think there were 18" radius curves left on that layout.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kwstamper

I don't agree with the rest of the board. I run nothing but 6 axle engines on my layout, and I have several 18" radius

I would suspect your models have greater lateral truck swing .

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kwstamper

I don't agree with the rest of the board. I run nothing but 6 axle engines on my layout, and I have several 18" radius

I would suspect your models have greater lateral truck swing .

[Anonymous]

I don't agree with the rest of the board. I run nothing but 6 axle engines on my layout, and I have several 18" radius turns and one 18" radius loop. I have never had a problem. The engines I am running are the Kato SD70MAC's, SD40-2's and SD45's and Athearn SD-40-2's And SD-45's. My favorite Loco's
are of course the Kato's. I consider the Kato SD70MAC's my best engines and NEVER had one derail on me.

[Anonymous]

I don't agree with the rest of the board. I run nothing but 6 axle engines on my layout, and I have several 18" radius turns and one 18" radius loop. I have never had a problem. The engines I am running are the Kato SD70MAC's, SD40-2's and SD45's and Athearn SD-40-2's And SD-45's. My favorite Loco's
are of course the Kato's. I consider the Kato SD70MAC's my best engines and NEVER had one derail on me.

[Anonymous]

HO Atlas EMD GP38, 2,000 HP built in Jan 66 comes with dual -mode DCC decorder, four axle switcher.
Minimum radius:18", has cab interior, directional headlights, drawbar pull:3.36 oz, dual flywheel, engine weight
16 oz.. According to MR their sample came beautifully decorated, paint masking and printing is excellent. Should be able to pull 47 free-rolling cars with metal wheels ". Atlas has a superb production job". Had a suggested retail price of $130.00 but you can do better now & probably thru one of the mail order houses.

HO Atlas EMD GP 40, 3,000HP built in Dec 91 comes DCC ready to accept, four axle loco.
Minimum radius:18", has cab interior,directional headlights, drawbar pull:4.2 oz, dual flywheel, engine weight
16oz."One of the best commercial finishing MR has seen". Should be able to pull 58 free-rolling cars with metal wheels. Had a suggested retail price of $120.00 but you can do better now & probably thru one of the mail order houses.

HO Atlas GE Dash 8-40B, 4000HP built Apr.88 comes with dual-mode decorder, four axle loco.
Minimum radius:18",has cab interior,directional headlights, drawbar pull:3.2 oz, dual flywheel, engine weight
17.5 oz. According to MR," Atlas once again raises the standard we've come to expect for performance & detail". Should be able
to pull 45 free rolling cars with metal wheels. Had a suggested retail price of $140.00 but you can do better now & probably
thru one of the mail order houses.

I own the Atlas dash 8-32B for $90.00 and it's one of the best detailed I own.

Atlas enjoys a great reputation and I don't recall any criticism. They also run a four forums.Check them out at www.atlasrr.com and click on forum.

B stands for two axle truck and 40 stands for 4,000HP, the 32 stands for 3,200HP.

Other members will also have some additional comments.

I can mail you copies should you want one. Let me know at [e-mail]

Do you need any more infor???????

[Anonymous]

HO Atlas EMD GP38, 2,000 HP built in Jan 66 comes with dual -mode DCC decorder, four axle switcher.
Minimum radius:18", has cab interior, directional headlights, drawbar pull:3.36 oz, dual flywheel, engine weight
16 oz.. According to MR their sample came beautifully decorated, paint masking and printing is excellent. Should be able to pull 47 free-rolling cars with metal wheels ". Atlas has a superb production job". Had a suggested retail price of $130.00 but you can do better now & probably thru one of the mail order houses.

HO Atlas EMD GP 40, 3,000HP built in Dec 91 comes DCC ready to accept, four axle loco.
Minimum radius:18", has cab interior,directional headlights, drawbar pull:4.2 oz, dual flywheel, engine weight
16oz."One of the best commercial finishing MR has seen". Should be able to pull 58 free-rolling cars with metal wheels. Had a suggested retail price of $120.00 but you can do better now & probably thru one of the mail order houses.

HO Atlas GE Dash 8-40B, 4000HP built Apr.88 comes with dual-mode decorder, four axle loco.
Minimum radius:18",has cab interior,directional headlights, drawbar pull:3.2 oz, dual flywheel, engine weight
17.5 oz. According to MR," Atlas once again raises the standard we've come to expect for performance & detail". Should be able
to pull 45 free rolling cars with metal wheels. Had a suggested retail price of $140.00 but you can do better now & probably
thru one of the mail order houses.

I own the Atlas dash 8-32B for $90.00 and it's one of the best detailed I own.

Atlas enjoys a great reputation and I don't recall any criticism. They also run a four forums.Check them out at www.atlasrr.com and click on forum.

B stands for two axle truck and 40 stands for 4,000HP, the 32 stands for 3,200HP.

Other members will also have some additional comments.

I can mail you copies should you want one. Let me know at [e-mail]

Do you need any more infor???????

[der5997]

That's odd, flea. My Athern GP9s (or were they 7s, but that's another story[:)] ) ran well on 18" radius curves. I did have 22" transition sections, maybe that helped?

[der5997]

That's odd, flea. My Athern GP9s (or were they 7s, but that's another story[:)] ) ran well on 18" radius curves. I did have 22" transition sections, maybe that helped?

[Anonymous]

An Atherns GP 38-2, f7, sw1500, or GP9 will not run on 15" or 18" radius reliably without derailing. Neither will a Walthers dash 8 -40b. These are great locos, they just will not turn that tight in real life, The frount wheels come out always to the outside. Any car over 40" will also have trouble. My remaining 18" radius turns are off limits to all traffic anymore. I would pull them but they are part of my original layout and it's sacred. I advise again't tight turns and wish someone had warned me when I first started. 22" is almost too tight, 80+foot cars will not run on them.

[Anonymous]

An Atherns GP 38-2, f7, sw1500, or GP9 will not run on 15" or 18" radius reliably without derailing. Neither will a Walthers dash 8 -40b. These are great locos, they just will not turn that tight in real life, The frount wheels come out always to the outside. Any car over 40" will also have trouble. My remaining 18" radius turns are off limits to all traffic anymore. I would pull them but they are part of my original layout and it's sacred. I advise again't tight turns and wish someone had warned me when I first started. 22" is almost too tight, 80+foot cars will not run on them.

[Anonymous]

I can respond to the HO Atlas GP38 & 40 tonight when I get home.
From what I recall Atlas is a very good name and almost problem free.

Need a better description on the Dash 8?

[Anonymous]

I can respond to the HO Atlas GP38 & 40 tonight when I get home.
From what I recall Atlas is a very good name and almost problem free.

Need a better description on the Dash 8?

[Anonymous]

i am doing my first ho layout, after getting info on the loco, i decided to go with the gp 38 or 40 and u28band maybe a dash-8..the other guys said post before you buy because of lemons out there....can i get some help on this??? thanks

[Anonymous]

i am doing my first ho layout, after getting info on the loco, i decided to go with the gp 38 or 40 and u28band maybe a dash-8..the other guys said post before you buy because of lemons out there....can i get some help on this??? thanks

[Anonymous]

In some cases MR may have review your intended model/models and if you post what you are going to buy
we may be able to "quote" their article. It's by model, then manufacturer.
GP7 , Atlas Oct 01
GP38, Atlas Jan 01
GP40, Atlas Oct 00

I have MR going back to 98 that covers F's , SD's and onther members may be able to fill in the rest. so post the Diesel
as the subject.

[Anonymous]

In some cases MR may have review your intended model/models and if you post what you are going to buy
we may be able to "quote" their article. It's by model, then manufacturer.
GP7 , Atlas Oct 01
GP38, Atlas Jan 01
GP40, Atlas Oct 00

I have MR going back to 98 that covers F's , SD's and onther members may be able to fill in the rest. so post the Diesel
as the subject.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cp1057

I concur with the others that you should stay with 4-wheel trucks on your locomotives, such as a GP or a switcher engine.

Also take care with your rolling stock. On that kind of a layout try to have mostly 40' boxcars and comparable length flatcars, reefers, stock cars and tankers. Long cars on small radius track can cause the couplers to swing out on curves causing a number of problems.

Charles
Hillsburgh On

YA, I agree with everyone else too. Anything over 40' or more than 4 wheels per truck is going to give you trble. Some manufacturures will tell you that their 40 wheel so and so will run on 15" curves with no problems. Don't fall into that trap. The truth is most all off these big behemouths won't run on anything less than very wide radius curves without wiping out most of your trackside detail and leaving half the locomotive in it's place. Even 6 wheel trucks are generally too much for minimum radius curves.[:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cp1057

I concur with the others that you should stay with 4-wheel trucks on your locomotives, such as a GP or a switcher engine.

Also take care with your rolling stock. On that kind of a layout try to have mostly 40' boxcars and comparable length flatcars, reefers, stock cars and tankers. Long cars on small radius track can cause the couplers to swing out on curves causing a number of problems.

Charles
Hillsburgh On

YA, I agree with everyone else too. Anything over 40' or more than 4 wheels per truck is going to give you trble. Some manufacturures will tell you that their 40 wheel so and so will run on 15" curves with no problems. Don't fall into that trap. The truth is most all off these big behemouths won't run on anything less than very wide radius curves without wiping out most of your trackside detail and leaving half the locomotive in it's place. Even 6 wheel trucks are generally too much for minimum radius curves.[:)]

[Anonymous]

well what do you guys think about the gp-38 or 40? i'm glad i can get this kind of feedback..this is the best place i guess to get it..iwas searching the internet madly trying to make sure i got the right loco. this is the first forum i signed up for and i actually got good responses..so...this ho layout is my first..i plan on taking those 4) 15" radii pcs out of my layout.i'm not ready to buy a loco in this month but soon...i still have alot of work to do..also on the car i guess no longer than 40' should work fine.i'm more less going with hopper cars anyway until i expand down the line

[Anonymous]

well what do you guys think about the gp-38 or 40? i'm glad i can get this kind of feedback..this is the best place i guess to get it..iwas searching the internet madly trying to make sure i got the right loco. this is the first forum i signed up for and i actually got good responses..so...this ho layout is my first..i plan on taking those 4) 15" radii pcs out of my layout.i'm not ready to buy a loco in this month but soon...i still have alot of work to do..also on the car i guess no longer than 40' should work fine.i'm more less going with hopper cars anyway until i expand down the line

[der5997]

I can recomend the GE 44 ton mentioned above. It's the Bachmann Spectrum series, so not bad quality. Also, if you are in Steam rather than Diesel, the "Docksider" saddle tank 0-4-0 runs well on the 18" radius you have. (Having said that, "runs well" may mean after some tinkering with the power pick up on the wheels, or providing a tender with extra pickups for negotiating turnouts without stalling out. I justified my scratch built tender for the docksider by requiring it to do work out on the main line asa way frieght hauler! ) I used one of those pump type toothpaste dispensers cut in half as the tender water / oil tank. It worked out just fine.
As locomotive3 says, post before you buy, and you can save yourself some grief. Rolling stock,as motive power, that is shorter rather than longer will look better and work better. Shorty oil cars are one solution, as are ore cars. (These are short in the prototype because the ore is heavy stuff.)
Welcome to the hobby, BTW.
Have fun.