What is the perfect steam locomotive for 15" radius track. I would like to buy a steam locomotive for the track that I have, and I really don't want any overhang making the curve.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
If you are talking about HO models, I suspect a 0-4-0T or 0-6-0T tank engine are about all that will track around that sharp of curve. Even the Bachmann 2-6-0 or 2-8-0 will have problems getting around with their tenders, not to mention freight cars. 15" radius is very sharp....
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
I was talking about N Scale.
15" curve is rather generious and will allow the majority of steamers to go around with ease..I would hold the wheel base to nothing larger then a 2-8-4 just for looks.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
If you have scale representations of a given locomotive in HO and in N, and they are both quite close to the prototype, you'll find that many smaller steamers will easily go around 18" curves in HO, and purposefully. The smaller engines, such as the 0-6-0 and tank engines can do better, but so can the industrial engines meant for the back woods or tight quarters, such as the Shay and Climax. Fifteen inches, as already said, is very tight in HO, but in N it is the same as 30" radius, which is generous for most layouts in the medium to small sizes. In N, your 15 curves should do very nicely, even with long passenger cars or autoracks.
-Crandell