Locomotive question

[ShaunCN]

HI evryone. I have a question about locomotives for my layout in HO scale. I need some power from the 1970-present day period to run on my long coal trains, mixed freight ect. I am running on 18 radius and need to know the biggest power i can run. Right now my biggest loco is a U-28b. Please help

Thank you
Shaun[:D]

[CP5415]

It depends on what you want to run Shawn. I have one 18" radius curve & I run Athearn locomotives around it with no problems. SD40-2's, AC4400's & C44-9w's. Rivarossi's 4-6-6-4's
I have had no problems with this corner even at full throttle. My 2 year old daughter can vouch for that.
I hope this helps
Just my 2 cents

Gordon

[Anonymous]

The biggest concern you'll run into is the longer the loco the more coupler over-hang there will be. As long as the loco doesn't pull the coal car off the track (sorta sideways to the outside) your'e good to go.

[Anonymous]

Here are some six axle exceptions to the radius recommendation per" MR reviews" that should run on 18"
Athearn SD-2
Atlas SD35
Lifelike SD60M, although 24" is better
Kato SD80MAC w/o cars, although 24" is recommended
Kato SD70MAC w/o cars, although 24" is recommended

Atlas is coming out with a new three axle that will run on 18"
but I don't recall the model.

In as far the coupler comment by md; perhaps substituting a longer shank
couplers on the loco/ lead car could be a solution.

Since I run 22" I have no way of testing that theory.

Chuck Walsh

[Nieuweboer]

I think running a six-axle locomotive such as a SD or GE U33C on 18" curves is asking for trouble, even if they stay on the track often the wheels will bind and this will slow down the train. If you have a layout that has a size allowing for no bigger than 18" curves stick to 4 axle locomotives. This also has the advantage that you can multiple without the train getting too long.
Good luck

[nfmisso]

Shaun;

The typical coal train power in 1970s and 1980s were 3000 hp six axle diesels, mostly EMD SD40-2, with some GE C30-7 thrown in. HO scale models of both have been made; Athearn, Bachmann, GSB, Kato, BLI (announced) for SD40-2 and Atlas, RPP for the GE. Most of these will barely go around an 18" radius curve. The Atlas GE's I had would, but the wheels squealled something awful, and the frieght car coupled to the locomotive would be derailed.

Consider going with a coal branch locomotive configuration instead. On the N&W/NS this could be two GP40's sandwiching a slug. (see Model Railroading magazines Jan 1994, July/Aug 2000 and Aug/Sep 2000). On the CSX, the road slugs are often EMD GP30 with no engines, but with cabs, dynamic brakes and fuel tank. These are often coupled with GP40-2 locomotives.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by locomotive3

Here are some six axle exceptions to the radius recommendation per" MR reviews" that should run on 18"
Athearn SD-2
Atlas SD35
Lifelike SD60M, although 24" is better
Kato SD80MAC w/o cars, although 24" is recommended
Kato SD70MAC w/o cars, although 24" is recommended

Atlas is coming out with a new three axle that will run on 18"
but I don't recall the model.



In as far the coupler comment by md; perhaps substituting a longer shank
couplers on the loco/ lead car could be a solution.

Since I run 22" I have no way of testing that theory.

Chuck Walsh

It's the SD24 that will also run on 18"radius