I'd be more concerned about damage to the layout, as in when you tear up the tracks to rebuild it.
My concern is that you will spend money on the big steam locomotives and they will end up as shelf queens because you can't run them successfully.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
What will happen?
Hundreds of voices will cry out in 1/87th volume as your train derails and plummets onto the ground.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
A large engine might take the curve, but will look silly doing so. And silly looking trains is not what this hobby is about.
Just be glad you don't have to press "2" for English.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ_ALEdDUB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hqFS1GZL4s
http://s73.photobucket.com/user/steemtrayn/media/MovingcoalontheDCM.mp4.html?sort=3&o=27
Over a long time, I suppose it's possible it could affect the driving wheels negatively. I have a BLI 2-10-4 with 24" recommended min radius. In tests I could get it go around a 22" radius curve, but the wheels squeal pretty bad. I imagine over time that could cause wear and tear on the wheels.
If your layout space only allows for 18"R HO curves, you'd be best to stick with smaller engines - 0-6-0 switcher, geared steam, etc.
S. Connor I have 18''R turns on my layout. I am looking to expand my steam collection (HO Scale) with some larger locomotives, but am worried about the consequences of running more drivers on such tight curves. Most locomotives I am looking at have a recomended minimum radius of 22''. Can any damge be done to the locomotive by running on tight curves?
I have 18''R turns on my layout. I am looking to expand my steam collection (HO Scale) with some larger locomotives, but am worried about the consequences of running more drivers on such tight curves. Most locomotives I am looking at have a recomended minimum radius of 22''.
Can any damge be done to the locomotive by running on tight curves?
Not to worry about damage to locomotive. The issue is derailment. If the maker puts "22 inch radius" right on the packaging, you can be pretty sure the locomotive will derail on 18 inch curves. Maker's go to a lot of trouble to get their product to handle 18 inches, since that is the standard radius in train sets. When engineering fails to squeeze the locomotive around and 18 inch curve, marketing reluctantly allows the "22 inch radius" mark on the packaging to reduce the amount of product returned by customers for derailment.
If the package says "22 inch radius" it is best to believe it.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
Running a locomotive on a too tight curve could result in a derailment. Or depending on the speed it could turn over (if near the edge it could end up on the floor) which might damage some of the detail.
Since 18" is popular in HO, manufacturer's generally try to make their locomotives run on it. When they can't and advertise it at 22", you probably will have problems at 18". Running it very slow might keep it on the track.
Enjoy
Paul
One more point - sometimes an engine can run on a low radius, but when you couple cars behind that engine, the overhang derails the coupled cars -- or derails certain cars. The minimum radius that is mentioned in product reviews or advertisements does not always take that into account.
Dave Nelson
Won't damage the loco, but in all likelyhood loco will derail. You might get lucky with a specific loco but generally larger locos will not run reliably on smaller radius.
If you can get a locomotive recommended for 22" curves to operate on 18", I don't believe the locomotive will be damaged as a consequence.
The manufacturer is suggesting that it WON'T operate on 18". As in it will not fit.
Ed