I have an 18" x 48" glass top coffee table. I want to build a simple oval or figure 8 layout in it for my 7yo granddaughter as part of our Christmas decoration. I have been reading that an N scale needs a greater turning radius...and then reading that it can turn in less.
I used to have 4x8 HO layout, but am not that familiar with N scale, although I did find my son's 30 year old N scale trains. I worked on homosote before, but I am planning on working on foam.
Any advice is truly appreciated. Thank you!
First, welcome to the forum, RedRed.
As you probably know, the tightest readily-available track (and thus the tightest curves readily discussed) are 9.75", which is not going to give you a semi-circle in 18" of width. 9.75" in N roughly corresponds to 18" curves in HO, which are also the tightest commonly available. However, at one point 15" were available and that translates to something nearly 8.25" in N.
I've seen discussions where people had mixed results on 8" and smaller curves. One guy said a Bachmann S4 switcher worked down to 7.5", as did a Kato NW2. Another tested Atlas RS1s, RS3s, an SW9, and some smaller steam all on 8-inch curves and he said they worked, but others said it depended on the individual locomotive (of 5 RS3s tested, 3 would take 7.75" curves, 2 would not). The Bachmann 44 and 70 tonners were also on the tested and worked list (there was some chatter on another site that those would take 6" curves). It sounded like when they got to 7.75" things started to bog down or climb the rails.
Your other option is to forgo the loop and look into some sort of auto-reversing circuits. I know Circuitron makes one that reverses the polarity when an optical sensor is covered, and another that does the same but will delay the train over the sensor for a predetermined time. I think their auto reverser works with more than one optical sensor, so one unit could revers the train at both ends of the track. So, instead of going around and around, it heads back and forth.
For what you are trying to accomplish, I could see a 44-tonner pulling around a few cars and a caboose. I have one as an industrial switcher and it generally is a pretty good little locomotive.
- Mark
Thank you. Looks like I have more research to do!
Back in the 1960's there were N gauge train sets that came with 7.5" radius curves. One brand was - Aurora Postage Stamp Trains.
I have successfully run a Atlas RS1 with a 40' boxcar on 6 inch radius. A GP9 could make it but only if no cars were coupled to it. Haven't tried them, but the Bachmann 70 tonner and 44 toner should work since they are much smaller locomotives.
One option to check out is TomyTec 1:150 scale Japanese prototype street cars. Walthers carries them although the cars are unpowered, TomyTec makes a power unit for them (unfortunately it appears Walthers apparently does not stock it). Their smallest radius curved track is 4-1/16 inch. They also have 5-1/2 inch and 7 inch radius as well as larger radius track.
Another option: US streetcars. Bachmann makes a very nice model of a Peter Witt streetcar with DCC that should work on very sharp curves. The Bachmann PCC car and Brill Trolley are more toy like and DC only.
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There is also HO scale industrial/mining narrow gauge that would fit http://www.bigcityhobbies.com/minitrains.html
Other brands from Europe are carried by Reynaulds https://www.reynaulds.com/
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
I remember the postage stamp trains! I may try to pick up a cheap set on EBay for this project, since I KNOW little fingers won't be able to leave this alone. I always enjoyed making the scenery & buildings more than running the trains! Thank you!
As to couplers with the smaller track radius -- Truck-mounted couplers would be more effective than body-mounted couplers on rolling stock. Earlier suggestions for smaller diesel engines should also be considered.
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956