86’ Hi-Cube Boxcars & 89' Auto Rack Question?

Rob-

Both cars were designed to run on O-54 curves, so 108" diameter curves should not be a problem in theory. Is the 1/2" clearance the measured overhang from the outside of the rail to the edge of the carbody?

If in doubt, you could make a clearance mockup of the auto carrier using a pair of trucks and a piece of wood. The trucks are about 3" in from the end of the car (3.5" if you are measuring from the end of the coupler).

-John

Interesting question for people with completed layouts. The ability to run on specific track only deals with the truck and does not provide info on how far it swings.

It would be nice to have diagrams showing the body clearance needed on the various curves, starting with the tightest it is rated for.

Let us know what you come up with.

I have both types of cars. My mainline curves are all 072 and greater, but there are still restrictions because all of my track centers are 4". They just can't pass safely on the curves.

There is another clearance issue that I plan to resolve by reconstructing my helix supports. I built it long before anyone made the huge cars and engines. The cars scrape the inside posts, and the locos hit the outside ones.

I currently am running new Lionel 86’ Hi-Cube Boxcars, and I have about 1/2" clearance on one of my 108" curves.

One half inch where, vertically or horizontally? 

If horizontally then on the inside or outside of the curve? 

Is the 1/2 inch of clearance between the car and scenery or trains on an adjacent track?

The difference in length between an 86' car and an 89' car is three feet, or in O scale, 3/4".  That would be 3/8" at each end.  So there should be little difference between the overhang of these two cars.  I do not know how there could be a three inch difference in lengths between the two cars.

With that curve they will not be problem, even with Kadee couplers. 

Horizontally my clearance issue is on the inside curve from the body hitting a retaining wall.

My tracks are 4.5 on center.

Hi Rob

Here's an overhead shot of my hi-cubes & some racks going around 102, 096 and 090 curves in my staging yard. You can see the overhang and clearance.

Here's a shot of them going around the 102 curves.

I  have 6 parallel staging tracks spaced 4.25" on center that all curve 90 degrees. The inside and smallest curve is 072. I put a string of racks on that inside 072 curve, a regular sized mixed freight with scale couplers (3RS) on the next track (080) and another string of racks on the next curve afar that (088) Th photo shows the racks easily navigating the 072 without hitting the smaller freight. It's a bit of a tight fit, but it's more than enough.

Hope some of this answers your questions.

- RICH

It looks like the auto carriers swing out a lot much then the box cars.  I am thinking the auto carriers will not make the clearance

Rob,

I actually have Atlas o-108 sectional track and the Lionel Autoracks.  I went and measured, the Auto carriers swing outside by 1-7/8" as measured from the center rail, or 3/4" as measured from the end of the track ties.

I think its safe to say that the Auto Carriers are a no-go for you.

o-108 seems like a large radius, but for these models it is not.

Thank you

This more a confirmation than anything - I've recently acquired 4 autoracks and 2 of the boxcars. I'm building my layout with these being a featured element.  

I've installed most of my benchwork - trying to get as many straights as I can to accommodate larger cars.   Most of the layout fluxtuates from a Maximum O-108 to minimum O-96 -  except on a reversing loop which is at O-90.  I won't be running multiple trains consisting of these cars - but I will be adding some of the K-line 21" models to my passenger service.  It appears I shouldn't have trouble at 4.25 inch spacing on center, but is there an opinion on ideal spacing - particularly between O-90 and O-102 for these cars - and also - in conjunction with the also very large K-line cars?

On my mainlines I have 0-96 outer and 0-89 inner( gar graves preformed curves ) with 4.5 inch center to center. The only time I have hit the auto rack on the outer mainline was when I was backing my Legacy UP 12 wheeler and the corner of the cab hit the auto rack but going forward I had no problem on any of the curves............Paul

Excellent.  Thanks!  

The 89' auto rack is nearly 24" in length coupler to coupler, the 86' hi-cube about 3/8 of an inch less. Not sure where Lionel came up with the huge difference in length.

As they mention, track spacing is as important as radius.

Great post and replies everyone.  Planning a layout and now having the hi cubes and auto racks, shows me I really need the 108" curves.  Will 4.5" spacing in the curves suffice?

Just my opinion but, I prefer 5" to 5 1/4" center to center spacing on main line curves. Then you can't go wrong.

Hot water, good answer.