Here is a video of my small HO layout that has 12" and 15" radius curves and steep inclines/downgrades of 3" rise over 72" run or 4%. The layout contains two 36" x 48" modules that are bolted together. The frames of the engines needed to be filed so that the trucks would rotate more and several of the cars needed to have the coupler slots widened to allow greater rotation of the coupler.
In here, we always say that even an 18" radius is actually to small to run a train properly - you have proven us all wrong!
That is a nifty layout, and it works! I would quibble a bit with Sir Madog's assertion that we have been proven wrong. I think the matter is open to conjecture for a given type of model, layout, and rolling stock. Some locos can take trains up a 4% grade and negotiate very tight curves, and if that is what the owner needs and desires, more power to him/her. When you model a prototype, and use its typical locomotives, you won't be able to have such curves and grades without some other assistance or devices, such as helper locomotives. Those locomotives must lie in wait for their taskings, and that takes up valuable layout space on a smallish layout.
There is a whole lot of layout in that space. Lots to look at. I found myself looking at all the buildings and everything else there is to see and realized a lot of hours of fun building it must have been had. For those of us that like the build and create end of things, satisfaction could be had knowing everything we have built will go on to that huge layout, after we win the lottery.
Well done.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
dsmithHere is a video of my small HO layout that has 12" and 15" radius curves and steep inclines/downgrades of 3" rise over 72" run or 4%.
Awesome!
Based on everything we've learned here about curves and grades you'll surely be off to jail soon for breaking the laws of physics. 4% grade with a 12" radius gives you an "effective grade" of 6.67%!
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
carl425Based on everything we've learned here about curves and grades you'll surely be off to jail soon for breaking the laws of physics.
not every layout needs to handle long trains with long wheelbase locomotives.
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
Part of the appeal of smaller layouts is the opportunity to build in greater density of details, and you have done a nice job at that part of modeling. Finding rolling stock that can be adapted for tight curves has to also be part of the challenge. Keep up the nice work!
Don H.
Very nice work.
I stand with a foot in each camp - my tight-radius mountain goat trail has 350mm radius (>14 inch, for the metrically challenged) curves and 4% grades, operated with short cars and small locomotives - often two or three to a train. That's in one-half of the garage. It interchanges with the national monopoly, which runs long cars, big catenary motors and stiff steam on minimum 610mm (24 inch) radii with a comparatively easier 2.5% helper grade that wraps around the other peninsula before vanishing into the netherworld.
Our Japanese brethren have long since proved that one can build operable small-space layouts to be operated with short trains of short cars. Obviously, if racks, stacks and Powder River monsters are your thing, small layouts aren't. For those of us who think and run small, not much space can be plenty.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Well done. I remember finding this video (and some others you made I believe) on youtube when I was researching 4x8 and other small layouts. Thanks for sharing.
Edit: Oh yeah, and thanks for knowing what a tripod is. I have to give up on so many movies that are too shaky.
Hello All,
The passenger train is amazing!
I too was told that 15-inch curves were too small on my 4x8 pike and that a 4% rise was too steep.
The incline on my layout is made up of 18- and 22-inch snap-track with a custom cut 3-1/2-inch straight section in the middle of the curve, supported by Woodland Scenics 4% incline set topping out at 23-feet scale (2-15/16-inches actual). This leads to the upper coal unloading siding made up of #2 PECO turnouts. On the other end of this elevated portion is a 360º spiral trestle made up of 15-inch snap-track and a #2 PECO turnout back to the mainline.
The lower coal loading siding is made up of PECO #2 turnouts, as are the divergent legs of the Wye in the center of the layout.
For the mainline loop I also combined 15- and 18-inch snap-track with a 2-inch straight section in the middle of the curves at each end.
Despite the sharp curves and steep inclines I run unmodified motive power. I model in the 1970's-80's so I have 4-axel diesels which negotiate the tight curves with no derailment problems.
The rolling stock is primarily 34-foot hoppers, 40-foot box and tanker cars with the exception of the 50-foot MOW flatcar and 47-foot excursion wagons. Even the Doodlebug with it's 47-foot baggage car has no problems.
My one question is:
Who collided with the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile?
Thanks for sharing.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
Hi dsmith
Well this one is not really to my taste.
But is most cretainly a job well done
OMG a Giraffe car that still has it's head love it I had a Triang one as a child, wish I still had it
I am a little intregued by the fish car who does it and how does it work.
I have to say it's these toy cars that caught my attention they don't seem that common today.
regards John
Here is another video of the same layout that I started this topic with. Two mainlines and a trolley line. The layout is located on top of my seven foot pool table.
https://youtu.be/xkArgyfouo4
jjdamnitI too was told that 15-inch curves were too small on my 4x8 pike and that a 4% rise was too steep
Oh, it can be done, within limits. It's a neat layout, I like it, but it's also a good lesson in what you face in operating successfully with sharp curves.
All those folks who want to operate a 2-10-4 and 80' passenger cars will still have a problem with 15" curves, as will anything with C-C trucks, most cars longer than 40', etc.
There are prototypes with similar 1:1 conditions, but few and far between except for traction, industrial lines, etc. Anything can be made to work, but how much work and will you enjoy it or frustrate you when done depends a lot on picking that suitable prototype -- or planning to just have some fun with like is being done here.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL