I have been looking at getting an Atlas HO scale Dash-8...Obviously it has 3 axles per truck....Will it negotiate 18" turns, hauling a load?
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According to the website the recommended minimum is 22" It will probably work in slow speed on 18 inch. http://www.atlasrr.com/HOLoco/hodash840cw4.htm
Springfield PA
Yes, but you'll want it to be connected to a fairly long freight car to prevent derailing. I would recommend a car 50' in length at the very least, obviously with frame mounted couplers. A 60' freight car would be safer.
I used to run trains like this all the time over 18" radius curves, and I rarely had problems as long as I stuck to those rules.
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You might persuade the engine to go around an 18" curve by itself, but nothing longer than a Kadee logging caboose is likely to stay coupled to it.
Ever see a really fat lady in a corset?
That's a long, modern locomotive (HO scale) on a 460mm radius curve.
OTOH, I have several 3 axle locomotives (and one 4 axle locomotive) which are happy on even tighter curves. Of course, they are low-drivered 0-6-0T and 2-6-2T teakettle tank steamers - and one 2-6-6-2T with blind main drivers whose prototype was engineered to round 68 degree curves.
On still another hand, that supertight HO curve is a broad curve in N scale.
It's always tempting to try to stuff ten pounds into a five pound bag. It's a temptation that should be resisted.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
HOWLR I have been looking at getting an Atlas HO scale Dash-8...Obviously it has 3 axles per truck....Will it negotiate 18" turns, hauling a load?
Sure. 3-axle units and 18-inch curves MAY work, depending on the locomotive make. If an Athearn RTR unit were to do it, the unit would lose a race to a slug. If a Bachmann tried the same curve, it'll act like the curve's a 22".
Crap happens. When it does, stop, take a deep breath, and call the wreck train.
If you really want a 6-axle for 18" radius turns, try the P2K SD7/9 or maybe the Atlas SD24/35*.
I used to run my SD9s on 18" all the time. I think the SD24 and SD35 will too.
Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
You will want to avoid having a curve that enters the turn out to close to the points. Let the engine get straighten out before it enters the turn out.The six axle will want to pick the points are climb the rail. You want to be very precise in track laying, if not the the three axel trucks will make you look bad. I know.
Of course one could model derailments, thats proto.
Have fun
Lee
Great advice above. If you're looking at the Dash 8-40c, you could also look into the Dash 8-40b type 4 axle locomotive family, too. The Atlas "bw" model comes with operating ditch lights, which is pretty cool for someone like me that's easily amused.
-Ed
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit." -Aristotle
You can run it. It will work if you have good track. Add a long shank coupler to it and the cars you pull will also stay on the track. Or you can just add a long shank coupler to the first car in your train that connects to the engine
Bob
I run mainly 6 wheel Diesels, Dash 9's, SD 40-2, SD 50's, SD 7, E-6's, Erie Built's and E 7's. If the track is well laid more than likely the engine will track fine. 6 wheel diesels do not like dips or high spots, they will climb the rails, so make sure the track is level.
Longer shank couplers will help with short cars. My Athearn Dash 9 will drag 3 bay coal cars with it having a longer shank coupler.
I have two 18 inch turns left and they are hidden. They do look a little funny to me now, but when I started I was just happy they stayed on the track.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
TA462 Don't buy it!!! It will look like crap going around your tiny curves and it will cause you nothing but heart ache. Get yourself a little 4 axle loco, like a GP7 or 9 or maybe even a new GP40. Later on in life when you get more room for a bigger layout then start looking at some 6 axle diesels.
Don't buy it!!! It will look like crap going around your tiny curves and it will cause you nothing but heart ache. Get yourself a little 4 axle loco, like a GP7 or 9 or maybe even a new GP40. Later on in life when you get more room for a bigger layout then start looking at some 6 axle diesels.
I disagree. I occasionally run a pair of Stewart C&NW Alco C-628 high hood locos, and they take 18" radius curves with no problem. And I don't care if they look silly on tight curves.
I asked the general question of something like "can 6 axle diesels negotiate 18" curves" or somehting similar some time ago. I could not find it under "search our community" int he right margin, but if you search along similar lines you will find several different threads about larger engines and 18" curves, both steam and diesels, though not necessarily the engine you are asking about.
The general concensus I got was that SOME 6 axle langer locos will handle 18' curves but look funny doing it and SOME 6 axle locos will handle curves only at very slow speeds.
{I also have a 15"R oval that I KNOW won't be handled by 6 axles}.
I decided NOT to buy anything bigger than a SD45 if I got into 6 axles until I can get rid of the 18"R oval and build me some 22" and 24" ovals!! {I have yet to by an SD anything}.
For now I will stick with 4 axle locos. WHen we buy a MMRing space that happens to be covered by a house and get out of this trailer {we are looking}, I can then have all the 22" and 24" curves I want, and THEn I will explore larger diesels!
Later Edit: I found it:
http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/132097.aspx?PageIndex=1
Just what I learned by asking a similar question. Your results may vary. Limit one per customer. Void where prohibited by law. No expiration date. Do not use on or near water. Do not submerge. Do not iron while wearing. Not recommended for children under 5.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
It may navigate 18" without any problems if it's going slow enough. You may want to look at trying to "ease" it into the tight curve. Using flex track, you can have it start off at a 22-24" curve, and as it gets closer to the apex, it gets closer to an 18" curve. It would allow you to run at a slightly higher speed, since the distance at 18" is shorter.
Edward Davis
Contributor @ Model Train Hobbyist Blog
It will work fine, when I started I ran 6 axle trains all the time on 18'' inch curves. I have several Atlas, Athearn, Kato and Intermountain locos and all don't mind the tight curves. I have even run consists around these curves with a long shank. I will admit that it doesn't look realistic but if its all the space you have then I say go for it and you will be fine. The track that I used was Power-Loc snap track and like I had mentioned all my locos took the turns fine.
Will
18" curves vs. 6 axle diesels isn't a fair fight. Yes, it can be made to work, but you'll spend a lot of time trying to make it work.
If you can ease up to a 22", you'll have a lot less trouble.
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
Gonna be honest, I'm not sure about that engine. But I'm not going to twll you to not buy something if you want it. IF you can't go to a larger radius turn, abnd you find the Atlas loco won't make the turn on it's own, you may want to investigate widening the frame around where the truck gears go into the chassis. Yes, there'sonly so far sideways a 3axle will go thoruogh a curve, but might be able to buy a little more wiggle room that way.
-Morgan
HOWL,
You've created two threads. Modelers have responded to your topic question yet..............as of this writing you have not posted any responses to them.
Not trying to provoke you negatively, but are you trying to get help from this community? Has the info been helpful or are you just phishing??
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
For those who haven't seen, this is what an Athearn RTR AC4400 & a P2K SD50 looks like coupled up on an 18" curve
Gord
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K1a - all the way