HOn3 Radius

[dave777]

what is the sharpest radius that you can use with flex track in HOn3 I'm adding small HOn3 section on my HO layout. my shelf layout is 24" wide and would like to add a small oval?? or will it have to be point to point?

[Anonymous]

Hello Dave777:The main consideration on any proposed radius for any scale, is what equipment one wishes to run on that proposed radius.
( For example, short standard gauge HO traction equipment can run on 6" radius.)
Do you already have some HOn3 equipment?? What kind?
The max. radius for an oval on a 24" wide layout would be down to about 11 1/4", as you have to have a little clearance for overhang.This is too small for most HOn3 equipment, even though it is shorter than standard gauge and has smaller wheels.HOn3 usually means steam locomotives, and anything shorter than an 0-6-0 would be extremely rare. You really need 14"-15" radius as a minimum, to avoid derailment difficulties.HOn3 is light in weight and very unforgiving of any kind of problems.
On the other hand, HOn30" would work fine in most cases...this is on N gauge width track.Years ago there was HOe, also 30" gauge, with European mining engines & cars, made by Egger-Bahn, and by Roco.
Compliments of the Season & best regards / Mike

[Anonymous]

I am running small HOn3 2-8-0s (Balboa, Westside) on a 13" radius with no problems. These locomotives have "blind" drivers on 2nd and 3rd axels which allow them to negotiate very sharp curves.

Other HOn3 locomotives that can handle 13" - 14" radius are:

SP #1 Diesel
D&RGW #50 Diesel
GE 25 Ton Diesel
Class A Climax
Victorian Railways "Puffing Billy" 2-6-2T
Class A Dunkirk
Westside Lumber Co. Heisler
LARy Birney Type G Trolley
Ken Kidder Plantation Locomotives
etc.

Actually there are quite a number of choices for motive power in HOn3 with sharp curves. Most modellers seem to think that you can't go sharper than HO standard gauge when it comes to minimum radius, however, I found that not to be the case. If you choose the right locomotive and cars you can have really tight curves.

Good Luck.

Tom

[Anonymous]

Fair enough, Tom...you say 13 or 14" radius is fine, I say 14 or 15" radius...fact is, Dave has a 24" wide shelf, which would limit any turn-back curve to about 11 1/4" radius, which will not work for HOn3 equipment.If he can increase his shelf width to about 29", he could go with your recommended usable minimum of 13" radius.
regards / Mike

[Anonymous]

Mike,

If Dave is willing to use one of the Grandt Line GE diesels, Brass D&RGW #50, or a Jonan 0-4-0T or Climax, Heisler then he can go as sharp as 10" which is just under his maximum. All of these locos can handle a 10" radius and some even sharper.

Thanks,

Tom