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I wouldn't mind having a full scale steam engine for my perimeter track.  It's approximately 042 give or take a couple of degrees.  I bent the Gargraves around my stomach and hot water heater during the build. My full scale *Williams* GG1s round the curves just fine, except for one curve that's borderline tight.  Good smoke, whistle and pulling power are most important, along with PRR or NYC road names.  It doesn't have to be high tech.

EDIT:  I did a little homework and came to find out my curves are O42

  Thanks - Ponz

Last edited by Ponz
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Ponz posted:

I wouldn't mind having a full scale steam engine for my perimeter track.  It's approximately 054 give or take a couple of degrees.  I bent the Gargraves around my stomach and hot water heater during the build. My full scale *Williams* GG1s round the curves just fine, except for one curve that's borderline tight.  Good smoke, whistle and pulling power are most important, along with PRR or NYC road names.  It doesn't have to be high tech.

  

Thanks - Ponz

You could always find a guy with a bigger waist to bend your curves around. At one time I could have helped but I've been dieting and dropped 33 lbs. I'm only good for H.O. curves now. 

 

Last edited by Nick Chillianis
gunrunnerjohn posted:

Important question, command or conventional?  Also, if command, TMCC/Legacy or MTH DCS?

That is still somewhat over my head John.  A good sounding chuff and whistle at the very least.  I'm using one of two original ZWs that I rebuilt.  I also have the additional bell buttons to operate crew talk with my MTH engines.

Ponz

gunrunnerjohn posted:

FWIW, the Williams GG-1 is rated for O42 curves, so I'd probably actually measure the diameter to verify what will and will not run.  There are a lot of steamers that will run on O54 that will choke on O42.  I'd be looking at the MTH stuff for good smoke.

John

What is the formula and how do I go about measuring my curves - please?

John

Ponz posted:
gunrunnerjohn posted:

Important question, command or conventional?  Also, if command, TMCC/Legacy or MTH DCS?

That is still somewhat over my head John.  A good sounding chuff and whistle at the very least.  I'm using one of two original ZWs that I rebuilt.  I also have the additional bell buttons to operate crew talk with my MTH engines.

Ponz

That would be conventional.

Ponz posted:

What is the formula and how do I go about measuring my curves - please?

Formula?  I use a ruler.   If it measures 42" from center to center (or close), then they're O42 curves.

gunrunnerjohn posted:
Ponz posted:
gunrunnerjohn posted:

Important question, command or conventional?  Also, if command, TMCC/Legacy or MTH DCS?

That is still somewhat over my head John.  A good sounding chuff and whistle at the very least.  I'm using one of two original ZWs that I rebuilt.  I also have the additional bell buttons to operate crew talk with my MTH engines.

Ponz

That would be conventional.

Ponz posted:

What is the formula and how do I go about measuring my curves - please?

Formula?  I use a ruler.   If it measures 42" from center to center (or close), then they're O42 curves.

But John - it's not a circle. It's more of an oval

Ponz

gunrunnerjohn posted:

You are concerned about the sharpness of the curve, so the measurement would be of the curve, here's an example.

I ran a 21" string line and drew an arc on a piece of cardboard.  Brought the drawn arc to the layout and came to find out my curves are only O42, possibly O43

Thanks - Ponz

As Pete mentioned, the Kline Hudson will navigate O31 curves with the included drawbar. However, they look silly doing it. Scale Mikados will navigate O42.....but again, IMHO ...they too look silly on tight curves......But, for what your looking to do, most of the scale Mikes will run on O42 and be the lessor of the evil as far as size and track radius is concerned.....there are a couple other scale locos that might make that turn too, it’s all going to be your taste....there is no modification required to the Kline Hudson to make it run on O31 but to replace the drawbar with the longer one included in the box.............Pat

harmonyards posted:

As Pete mentioned, the Kline Hudson will navigate O31 curves with the included drawbar. However, they look silly doing it. Scale Mikados will navigate O42.....but again, IMHO ...they too look silly on tight curves......But, for what your looking to do, most of the scale Mikes will run on O42 and be the lessor of the evil as far as size and track radius is concerned.....there are a couple other scale locos that might make that turn too, it’s all going to be your taste....there is no modification required to the Kline Hudson to make it run on O31 but to replace the drawbar with the longer one included in the box.............Pat

Thank you Pat.  I did a down and dirt measurement and my curves are O42 give or take a degree.  If you happen to stumble across a PRR or NYC Mikado pleas let me know and I'll take a look.  I'll search in the meanwhile.

John

harmonyards posted:

As Pete mentioned, the Kline Hudson will navigate O31 curves with the included drawbar. However, they look silly doing it. Scale Mikados will navigate O42.....but again, IMHO ...they too look silly on tight curves......But, for what your looking to do, most of the scale Mikes will run on O42 and be the lessor of the evil as far as size and track radius is concerned.....there are a couple other scale locos that might make that turn too, it’s all going to be your taste....there is no modification required to the Kline Hudson to make it run on O31 but to replace the drawbar with the longer one included in the box.............Pat

I'm wondering if it would be possible to shorten the drawbar?

Ponz posted:
harmonyards posted:

As Pete mentioned, the Kline Hudson will navigate O31 curves with the included drawbar. However, they look silly doing it. Scale Mikados will navigate O42.....but again, IMHO ...they too look silly on tight curves......But, for what your looking to do, most of the scale Mikes will run on O42 and be the lessor of the evil as far as size and track radius is concerned.....there are a couple other scale locos that might make that turn too, it’s all going to be your taste....there is no modification required to the Kline Hudson to make it run on O31 but to replace the drawbar with the longer one included in the box.............Pat

I'm wondering if it would be possible to shorten the drawbar?

It comes with two drawbars. The shorter one has two holes. You are overthinking this.

 

Pete

Lehigh Valley Railroad posted:
Ponz posted:

I have a large fleet of Pecos River and Atlas freight cars that are to scale.  That's why I want a larger steamer to pull them.  My shorty steamers look anemic pulling them.

Ponz

Replied to your email, awaiting your response 

If Ponz passes on the H9 you offered, might I have a whack at it? ......only if he passes first, of course..........Pat

gunrunnerjohn posted:
Ponz posted:

I have a large fleet of Pecos River and Atlas freight cars that are to scale.  That's why I want a larger steamer to pull them.  My shorty steamers look anemic pulling them.

Ponz

Why the necessity of the front coupler in this case?  You really open up the spectrum if you just go with a larger steamer!

Exactly John.  I measured my curves and they are O42 give or take a degree.  Throw some suggestions at me PLEASE!

Ponz

Ponz, I have a similar problem.  In my case, I am limited to ~O54.  Unfortunately, most of the large steamers require O72 minimum.  Have you considered RailKing Imperial?  The RailKing Imperial does not have the detail of Premier and are "semi"-scale at best but they are still bigger than traditional non-scale offerings.  Take a look at the  MTH 30-1812-1 PRR M-1a as an example.  I just picked up an Imperial PRR S-2 (MTH 30-1785-1).  It's not nearly as nice as it's scale counterparts, but I can run it on my layout and IMHO it doesn't look out of place pulling larger rolling stock.

Tony

harmonyards posted:
Lehigh Valley Railroad posted:
Ponz posted:

I have a large fleet of Pecos River and Atlas freight cars that are to scale.  That's why I want a larger steamer to pull them.  My shorty steamers look anemic pulling them.

Ponz

Replied to your email, awaiting your response 

If Ponz passes on the H9 you offered, might I have a whack at it? ......only if he passes first, of course..........Pat

I'll take a pass.  Looking for something larger.

Ponz

Actually, many of the RK Imperial offerings have detail similar to the Premier line, just not full scale.

For a reasonably impressive steamer that will handle O42, even O31, consider the TMCC or Legacy PRR T1 Duplex.

Lionel Legacy T1 Duplex

Another good choice is the K4, a decent sized locomotive that will handle the smaller curves.  You can get these in Legacy or TMCC as well.

Lionel Legacy K-4

Since you run conventional, don't overlook the many great MTH offerings.

Attachments

Images (2)
  • Lionel Legacy T1 Duplex
  • Lionel Legacy K-4
Tony_V posted:

Ponz, I have a similar problem.  In my case, I am limited to ~O54.  Unfortunately, most of the large steamers require O72 minimum.  Have you considered RailKing Imperial?  The RailKing Imperial does not have the detail of Premier and are "semi"-scale at best but they are still bigger than traditional non-scale offerings.  Take a look at the  MTH 30-1812-1 PRR M-1a as an example.  I just picked up an Imperial PRR S-2 (MTH 30-1785-1).  It's not nearly as nice as it's scale counterparts, but I can run it on my layout and IMHO it doesn't look out of place pulling larger rolling stock.

Tony

How large a locomotive are you looking for? Lionel scale 4-8-4s are rated for 054.

Pete

Norton posted:
Tony_V posted:

Ponz, I have a similar problem.  In my case, I am limited to ~O54.  Unfortunately, most of the large steamers require O72 minimum.  Have you considered RailKing Imperial?  The RailKing Imperial does not have the detail of Premier and are "semi"-scale at best but they are still bigger than traditional non-scale offerings.  Take a look at the  MTH 30-1812-1 PRR M-1a as an example.  I just picked up an Imperial PRR S-2 (MTH 30-1785-1).  It's not nearly as nice as it's scale counterparts, but I can run it on my layout and IMHO it doesn't look out of place pulling larger rolling stock.

Tony

How large a locomotive are you looking for? Lionel scale 4-8-4s are rated for 054.

Pete

As large as I can get for O42 and not look stupid on the curves

Ponz

How about scale K Line NYC Hudson? I've seen it running on 042 and doesn't look bad. I've got one I just put back in box and have run it on 072 to 058 and one place were I have one of 2 coaling stations the trackage is 042 as well as, the switch is 048 and has no problem going around it and negotiating. I kept it there for storage, but running my NYC F3 Diesels more so.

Last edited by josef
gunrunnerjohn posted:

I think it matters that the Legacy H10 does NOT have the electrocoupler on the front!, at least mine doesn't.  That's the object of the exercise.

Guess I missed something. I did not see a requirement for a front electrocoupler. That would be more for a switcher. I thought the OP was just requesting a scale steamer that could operate on 042.

WaynePa posted:
gunrunnerjohn posted:

I think it matters that the Legacy H10 does NOT have the electrocoupler on the front!, at least mine doesn't.  That's the object of the exercise.

Guess I missed something. I did not see a requirement for a front electrocoupler. That would be more for a switcher. I thought the OP was just requesting a scale steamer that could operate on 042.

I don't need a front coupler at all

Ponz

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