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Hey Gang,

 

I'm helping a new forum member design a layout with S and O gauge mainlines. He has AM 24"r and 27"r. Since he has an interest in using Legacy, I was looking at the Lionel AF catalog to see what they offered in Legacy controlled engines. The Alco PA, ES44AC and SD70ACE engines require a minimum curve of S-36. Does S-36 mean a 36" diameter? I saw the 2-8-8-2 requires a minimum curve of 36" diameter and is comparable in size. If so, he should have no problems with those engines on the AM track, with their diameters being 48" and 54".

 

Thanks in advance for your input!

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Stewart,

 

S-36 means 36" radius.   The O gauge tradition of measuring a circle from the outside of tie-to-tie isn't used in S.

 

The smallest commercially available curved S gauge track is S-20, or 20" radius, which would be a 40" diameter circle.  The 2-8-8-2 will run fine on it, although the overhang is a little excessive:  (This is the former S Helper Service 20" radius track)

Y3 round the bend

 

All of the Lionel/Flyer produced thus far will run on 20" radius.  Any "classic" Gilbert or Gilbert based Flyer, along with the Pacific's, Mikado's, Big Boy's, Challenger's and SD70's will run on it.  So your friend will have no trouble using American Models 24" and 27" radius curves.

 

Rusty

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  • Y3 round the bend

Page 3 of the Lionel AF catalog explains that all locos are designed to run on S-36, which the catalog goes on to explain is 36" diameter.   That is pretty tight, and is the accepted minimum for HO scale.   The smallest diameter of AF Fastrack that Lionel is selling is 20" radius or 40" diameter.  It seems surprising to me that Lionel would design these big locos for such a tight radius - tighter than the track they sell.   Tighter radius generally requires compromises.  I wonder what Lionel's rational is for the tighter radius minimum standard.

Originally Posted by Ken-Oscale:

Page 3 of the Lionel AF catalog explains that all locos are designed to run on S-36, which the catalog goes on to explain is 36" diameter.   That is pretty tight, and is the accepted minimum for HO scale.   The smallest diameter of AF Fastrack that Lionel is selling is 20" radius or 40" diameter.  It seems surprising to me that Lionel would design these big locos for such a tight radius - tighter than the track they sell.   Tighter radius generally requires compromises.  I wonder what Lionel's rational is for the tighter radius minimum standard.

I'm willing to bet that's a cut-n-paste error, with data liberated from the O Gauge catalog for Fastrack, which is O36.  Particularly since Lionel's listing the S-Fastrack as R20 and R27...

 

It's not like Lionel's never had proofreading errors or conflicting information in their catalogs before.

 

Rusty

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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