@DL&W Pete posted:Hi Tom,
Only one way to find out. I body mounted Kadee HO #5 couplers to my AM heavyweights, going to try them on both curves and see what happens. I am keeping my passenger trains to 5 cars and one engine. I know the freight cars won't be a problem for the R-20 curves with body mounted couplers. My diesel fleet is already picked out. AM DL&W E8AA, AM DL&W & Reading Train Master, two AM RS-3 will get painted in L&NE, a MTH F7 AB in Reading, might look into a AM D&H RS-11. Steam engines is my problem, all the ones I want were made a long time ago or never been made yet. So I will start out with the diesels, hunt for the small steam engine's I want. 4-4-0, 4-6-0, 2-6-0, 2-8-0 and maybe a 2-8-2.
Pete,
Body mount Kadee #5s is what I do and I agree with Tom. I can tell you first hand that the AM heavyweights with body mount #5s are a no-go on 24”R. 40ft freight cars are okay on 24”R, however the engine you choose will make a difference. I can’t say from experience, but I don’t think the diesels will work with body mounts. ‘Talgo’ (I’m never sure if that’s the correct term) mounts will give you a headache in backing moves – think of backing up a trailer with your car. The heavyweights are fine on 29”R – that’s what I ran on my Xmas layout last year.
I know I might be stepping way out of bounds and will probably catch a lot of flak, but I would recommend you stay with Hi-rail wheels for the radii you are talking about.
A comment about Portlines Hobby; Doug Peck is the owner and he is absolutely top drawer for service and advice. His website is a vast source of knowledge. You will be happy there.
Like you choice of Reading…
Tom Stoltz
a Reading fan, in Maine
