Anyone Think/Know if a Lionel Scale K4 Can Handle 0-48 Curves?

jp,

I have this version - > http://www.lionel.com/Products...roductNumber=6-11330 and I run mine on Fastrack 048 curves with no problems.  Not sure if you can use this information or not ...

Hi Greg- that may be super handy info. The manual for yours its 0-54 minimum as well, and looks to be the same locomotive...

Just remember, it may take a O48 curve, but not a S curve.  It may take the curve going slow, but at a faster speed it'll climb out.  Best to get some track and try it on the floor to be sure.

I have a Polar Railroad K4 and have driven it around our store layout that has FasTrack O36 so I would imagine that O48 would work fine. Though I wouldn't use it as an express train on tight curves.

I just tried my Legacy K4 on an O36 figure-8 that I'm using to test some tether versions for smaller layouts, it seemed to do fine.  I just had it towing my track cleaner, but I can't see why it wouldn't tow cars through the turns.

 

Thanks guys! This is SUPER helpful. Worth investing in an 0-48 circle to test. No S curves on the planned floor layout, and this would enable me to pack a lot more in. (although long term I'm sure I'll wind up with engines needing bigger curves)

You may want to think about finding the newer Lionel Legacy K4 that uses the K-Line tooling. It is not oversize like the version you have and can negotiate tighter curves.

jpcanton,

 

     The K4 38025 TMCC has a length of 23 1/2" vs. the Legacy K4s that have a length of 21". The Legacy K4s are scale the difference in length was an enlarged boiler between the front of the cab to the steam dome. I also thing the tender may also be a little larger than scale which resulted in the requirement for 054 curves. The Legacy K4s require 036 curves.

     Unfortunately the Legacy K4s are now hard to find the last time I looked Nicholas Smith showed a pre-war K4 in their stock but that was a while ago. You maybe able to find a Polar RR K4 or a Tuscan K4.

     Some of the opinions above are based on the Legacy K4s so do not make a decision based on this if you have or will be buying a 38025 TMCC K4.

 

JohnB

Excellent point John, I didn't realize the TMCC version was that much different.

 

GRJ,

 

    Yes I too was surprised when I looked up the engines in the Lionel catalogs. The difference 2 1/2 inches....that would be 10 ft in real life. Sounds like a lot. It sure would be nice if someone had a side by side picture of a TMCC K4 and a Legacy K4.

 

JohnB 

I have a scale J class by Lionel ( TMCC from 2005) and she handles 042 just fine!  Box rads for 054,curves.  I would think you will be just fine 

For what it's worth, I recall the TMCC version being noted as a bit too long (out of scale).

 

George

Yeah, the length difference is old news. It was discussed at length when the Legacy version was released based on the K-Line tooling. It made a lot of unhappy TMCC K4 owners as I recall.

yep- I've got the long one. Admittedly I'm not a rivet counter but at the same time I do like my trains with a scale appearance, and this one was just fine. I also think its why I managed to get an insane deal on it. 

 

Now all I need is a nice Hudson (the scale K line one seems on budget) and I'm in business

As an aside on the boiler differences, I gave my Lionel "long boiler" K4 to one of my brothers and purchased a K-Line scale post war version K4 that is one of my favorites. 

I run O-72 curves. I think the manufacturers suggested minimum curve specs are important to consider.  I would look carefully at the wheel base clearances before a decision and especially at turnouts forward and reverse.  The loco might "operate" but the wheels/flanges might take a beating.  Just a thought.