Is it any wonder that this forum is going down the drain.
Yes, Ivanhen made a mistake when he bought the passenger cars. I'm sure we all have at some point especially when buying over the web. He doesn't need ten people essentially calling him an idiot for not reading the fine print.
What does this achieve other than turn people off to a forum whose membership and activity levels have already been dealt heavy blows by a botched web site overhaul?
Not much to add to all of the above comments. This issue is why I plan on a 6 X 10 island layout (would do an around the walls layout, but basement not finished) which will allow me to do 30 and 32" curves on my mainlines (I'm basing it on one of Wescott's 101 trackplans book plans)--these are considered "broad" curves, and thus can handle big steamers/passenger cars if I decide to use them. You're in a tough position, I know, but in HO you're stuck with the above reccs.--add a side extension, or limit length of locos/rolling stock.
Jim
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
Texas Zepher wrote: lvanhen wrote:I recently bought 3 Walthers heavyweight passenger cars. After installing the lighting kits and about 20 figures in each car, I found out they are designed to run on 24" minimum radius! It does say right on the outside end of the box 24" minimum.The real solution is to purchase equipment that will fit the layout.
lvanhen wrote:I recently bought 3 Walthers heavyweight passenger cars. After installing the lighting kits and about 20 figures in each car, I found out they are designed to run on 24" minimum radius!
When I concluded that my 22" radii were too restrictive for my evolution in the hobby, I added an 8" shelf along both sides of my layout and widened my curves up to 26". It didn't improve the looks to a gratifying degree, but it meant that I could increase speed, increase engine size, and run my three new Walthers heavyweights...without hacking and slashing.
As suggested above, even a 5" shelf width added to one side of your layout would offer you room to move up to 24". Not only can you run unaltered heavyweights, but you could run larger non-articulated steamers like a C&O T1 or the PRR J1.
I've gotten one running on 22" after much work on the center sill & trucks with my Dremel, and am not looking forward to another 2-3 hours to fix the other 2!
I have an Athern Challenger, a Lionel veranda turbine, and other large cars & engines that not only run fine on my 22" outer loop, but just fine on my 19" inner loop!
lvanhen wrote:I remember reading somewhere that a majority of us modelers that have a layout, have a 4'x8' layout (just happens to be the size of a sheet of plywood!) This restricts us to a 22" radius unless we want to hang half of the track off the edge! I recently bought 3 Walthers heavyweight passenger cars. After installing the lighting kits and about 20 figures in each car, I found out they are designed to run on 24" minimum radius! I've gotten one running on 22" after much work on the center sill & trucks with my Dremel, and am not looking forward to another 2-3 hours to fix the other 2! I have an Athern Challenger, a Lionel veranda turbine, and other large cars & engines that not only run fine on my 22" outer loop, but just fine on my 19" inner loop! Anyone else with the same problem?
Not since I went to 30" min!
This is on 38" and a big boy. You can reslice the 4x8 into roadbed. How much right of way do you have? Can you go around the room? The Challenger is just as bad looking on 28" as the big boy looks good on 38"
Easy to fix IF you have the space..Add a foot on each side that should give you enough room for 24" curves.Can't add a foot on each side? Add 1 foot to a side instead you will still be able to have 24" curves.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"