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Hurdles to a newcomer getting started

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  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, September 25, 2020 11:57 AM

wjstix
Although 18"R has been the HO standard for some time, it seems like I see more and more catalog listings and such advising "recommended for 22 inch radius or larger".

I am seriously rethinking my full-length passenger cars and might opt for shorter Athearn cars instead.

I have 24 inch hidden radius, and maybe I should just avoid problems.

Just thinking out loud...

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,897 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Friday, September 25, 2020 4:49 PM

SeeYou190

 

 
wjstix
Although 18"R has been the HO standard for some time, it seems like I see more and more catalog listings and such advising "recommended for 22 inch radius or larger".

 

I am seriously rethinking my full-length passenger cars and might opt for shorter Athearn cars instead.

I have 24 inch hidden radius, and maybe I should just avoid problems.

Just thinking out loud...

-Kevin

 

Kevin,

I have built my last two layouts, and the current planned layout, with 36" minimum radius curves, and with most curves well above 36", and I still prefer my Athearn and ConCor 72' passengers cars for their appearance on curves.

 

 

I have them close coupled equiped with American Limited diaphragms that touch and stay touching all the time.

I do have some full length cars, Bachmann, Branchline, that have been modified the same way and work fine.

But the shorter cars look so much more graceful on my large curves, like watching real passengers.....

Sheldon

    

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,897 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Friday, September 25, 2020 4:59 PM

As an additional note, I have developed a prefered coupler mounting and a number of simple but effective detailing methods to improve the appearance of these cars.

I don't go crazy with totaling rebuilding them, just ad and change some key stuff to make them much more "complete" looking.

One day I will have to photo document the process and post it on here.

Sheldon

    

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, September 26, 2020 1:27 AM

Any and all of my musings about passenger trains should be taken with a grain of salt.

I have no passion, or even real interest, in passenger train operations. I have never completed an operating passenger train for my railroad in HO or N scale. Maybe someday I will, but until then please do not take my ramblings about the subject too seriously.

When it comes to passenger trains, I definitely have a "Dream Big, Build Small" track record.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: North Carolina
  • 1,905 posts
Posted by csxns on Saturday, September 26, 2020 11:52 AM

SeeYou190
I have no passion, or even real interest, in passenger train operations.

Same here.

Russell

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