bachmann HO spectrum 2-8-0

[ondrek]

I have a spectrum 4-6-2 that will navigate my 15" radi on my layout....90% of the time

If i was to purchase a spectrum 2-8-0, will it navigate the 15's as well?

I am hoping that it will as eventhough there are more axles, the dia of the driving wheels appear to be smaller than the 4-6-2's

thanks

Kevin

[SpaceMouse]

MY son's has no problem with 18's

[selector]

Can you get onto the Bachmann site and see what they list for the 2-8-0? Something tells me that you are asking a lot of eight drivered locos to negotiate 15" radii...unless that Consolidation has tiny drivers really close together. The BLI Northern, a 4-8-4, is recommended for a min of 22", if memory serves. So, if you press me, I'd say nyet.

[Anonymous]

15 is really pushing it for anything except 0-4-0 switchers and trolley cars (Traction)

It is the wheelbase that is gonna get ya not the smaller diameters.

On the LHS layout we used a Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 on the 18" radius (With a few tight squeakers here and there) and that is about as tight as you can go.

Get a larger radius, 18 used to be the standard but now 22" seems to be gaining acceptance as a radius that most engines will run in. (But not my BLI PRR J-1)

Personally I prefer 26"-32"

[NevinW]

I have two of those and I really think that 18" radius curves are about the practical minimum without problems. - Nevin

[selector]

For close-set drivers, as on most steamers, HighIron, wheelbase IS a funtion of the combined diameters of the fixed drivers when concerning curves. This is easily tested by calculating what the wheelbase would be for four 55" drivers vs. for four 69" drivers. The difference of 14" per driver times four drivers is a whopping 56", and clearly establishes a minimum radius of curvature for the loco with the larger drivers. N'est-ce pas?

[ondrek]

What if i filed off the flanges of one of the driving wheels? much like what bachmann does to some of their Gscale engines.

What i could do is watch the engine closely, and if there seems to be problems I could file off the flanges of the axle wheels of the set that seems to be having the most problems. my guess would be the second axle's wheels.

Kevin

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by selector

For close-set drivers, as on most steamers, HighIron, wheelbase IS a funtion of the combined diameters of the fixed drivers when concerning curves. This is easily tested by calculating what the wheelbase would be for four 55" drivers vs. for four 69" drivers. The difference of 14" per driver times four drivers is a whopping 56", and clearly establishes a minimum radius of curvature for the loco with the larger drivers. N'est-ce pas?

Je conviens !

I gotta take myself back to steam school. =)

[Anonymous]

If you wi***o believe MR June 1998 this 13.4 oz baby would handle a 15"

[selector]

Well, I believed BLI that my Hudson would take 18" curves,.... [;)]

[selector]

Kevin, you could do that, but I would only advise it as a last resort. Can someone reading suggest where he could get a blind driver set of the same diameter? Surely he can get one from...maybe even Bachmann?

[Anonymous]

Well, after looking at my Spectrum 2-8-0, all the drivers are flanged. I've never had mine on anything tighter than an 18", though my friend has had his on 15"s without any problems. I would be against filing off the flanges on the drivers though, you never know, it may screw up the loco.

[Anonymous]

You could contact the seller and let them know your concern. If you were to buy and it couldn't handle the 15" you would return it.

Gets a little expensive if the seller is out of town. You also eat the return postage
plus a restocking fee.