Can I Run 042 Trains on 036 Atlas Curves?

Scott,

    You will actually have to test run each individual engine and the rolling stock also, on a 036 min layout to actually see what happens.  This all depends on the trucks and spacing as to whether they can actually accommodate the turns or turn outs.  Some are going to make it, some will not.  Many of my Tin Plate Trains rated at 042 min, can actually run on 027 track.  However I would not constantly run these trains on the 027 track.  Actual testing of the engines and rolling stock yourself on the 036 track of your choosing is the only way to actually know what will really work.  I am about to do some of this testing myself on the new 036 FasTrack Command Control turn outs I purchased.

PCRR/Dave

the lionel scale berkshires say min curve of O54, I had one and it ran on O42. 

only way to find out is to try it.

The answer is...maybe.

The O42 minimum is referencing tubular track, where the diameter of a circle is measured from the outside of a tie to the outside of the opposite tie.

Most modern track, including Atlas-O and FasTrack, measures the diameter center rail to opposite center rail. Which results in a diameter number 1-1/4" smaller than using the old method.

Which means Atlas-O O36 diameter track would be O37-1/4 using the old method. Which may be close enough to O42 so as not to be a problem. Remember, the next size down in tubular track would have been O31, which would have been too tight.

Even if it does you probably will not like the way it looks.

I have run O-42 minimum loco and cars through Super Streets curves.......and if it's a straight segment, one curve and another straight it works!!!  But for a permanent set up it would not work.....this was me sitting on the floor 'playing'.

As others have said.....only way is try it....some may...some may not. See if you can find someone with a loaner loco.....   

Scott,

   Michael H makes a great point here, although some engines may actually run on the 036, they may look really really strange doing it.

PCRR/Dave

As one who regularly runs his trains below the min curve, all I can say is you have to try it.  Everyone if different.  You could ask here on the forums for someone that has one to try it on smaller track.  I've done that a couple times.  Besides it looking off, it may also be harder on the locomotive, putting a strain on things.  Another thing is to watch out for S (Back to back) curves.  It may go through a curve just fine at a smaller diameter, but come off the tracks if the curve go the other way.  Some examples:

My MTH PS-1 DL-109 is rated at O42, but runs just fine on O36, S-curves too.  But the trucks (pilot) stick way out.

My MTH PS-1 T-1 Duplex is rater at O72, it run on O48, but you can tell it's straining, but the center drivers are off the rails.  I'd say it's okay on O54.

My Lionel VL Big Boy is rated O72.  The locomotive can go on O54, but the tender could not.  A friend has run his on O63 without issues.

My Lionel Heavy Mikado is rated at O54, but the following year the next ones were listed at O36.  I have run it on O36 briefly and it seemed to do fine.  Since it's officially my Christmas gift, I can't get it back out until then, so I won't have any long term results until next year.

Thanks for the good feedback. The part I had not thought of is that it might look bad even if it does make the curves. That would be a pretty discouraging after having plunked down the $500+ that most scale steam engines go for these days. I'll keep my eyes open for the scale steam that's 036 rated and leave it that for now.

you can run anything on any radius, but chances for constant derailments go up dramatically, its foolish to buy and try to run below an engines min. radius....the real railroads sure dont do it.....Jim