Lionel Legacy USRA Mike

Hi Mike,

I recently purchased a Legacy Heavy Mikado, I have a few O36 curves and it does fine on them. I take it slow around the curves just in case but it does fine as I said before. I am not sure why they show O54 as MIN Curve, might be a looks kind of thing or even managing tight curves at high speeds?

In any case, if you don't run them fast, mine is doing just fine with O36.

Hope this helps!

Thanks Daniel!  A heavy Mike on 036 is encouraging as the radius is not greatly different than my 031.  The light USRA's sold by K-Line did it so I may jump in and see what happens.  My trains run at very slow speeds so jumping off the rails should not be an issue, I was more concerned with the pony and trailing trucks hitting the steam chest and frame around those super snug corners.  Fingers crossed as those are really great looking engines!

I run my heavy Mike on O36 all the time, high and low speed.  AFAIK the heavy and light had the same chassis, just different boilers.  But yes, as of late Lionel have seemed to be putting larger curves as the min on all their locomotives.  Maybe they think it makes them look less toy like on paper and more scale model like.  I wish they'd just really make more Legacy steamers that can do O36.

I second that emotion, I am limited to a 4x8 in my two bedroom bungalow so no Big Boys or UP FEF's for me. 

It’s most likely due to the gear box on the inside of the newer mikes, but I am not 100% positive.  With all of the advanced features being put into the new locomotives, although the die may be made from the K-Line tooling, I would doubt that the drivetrain would be.  What I would recommend either way is not experimenting with this as running a locomotive on a curve smaller than it’s posted radius can result in costly expenses and repairs.  You could even ruin the locomotive completely!  No matter what, always run locomotives on the correct radius of track, especially steam locomotives.  Take care!

I'm not an expert, but trying out an engine on a certain size curve probably isn't going to hurt anything. If the engine slows down noticably due to the flanges rubbing on the rail, then the radius is too small. You may hear it as well. Also, Lionel seems to be conservative on their recommendations (remember, they're only recommendations, not necessarily absolutes). For example, operators will report that an engine with an O54 recommendation runs fine on 042.

However, going from an 042 recommendation to 031 may be stretching it. And just because the Lionel version is "based on" the K-Line version, even if true, that doesn't mean there weren't significant changes made by Lionel. The phrase "based on" doesn't provide any detail as to the degree of sameness. 

You'll just have to try it, but as a guess O36 might be an absolute minimum. I have an engine that says 036 minimum, and it will not run on 031, so sometimes, at least with smaller radius track, there's no wiggle room. 

Evan Cihlar posted:

It’s most likely due to the gear box on the inside of the newer mikes, but I am not 100% positive.  With all of the advanced features being put into the new locomotives, although the die may be made from the K-Line tooling, I would doubt that the drivetrain would be.  What I would recommend either way is not experimenting with this as running a locomotive on a curve smaller than it’s posted radius can result in costly expenses and repairs.  You could even ruin the locomotive completely!  No matter what, always run locomotives on the correct radius of track, especially steam locomotives.  Take care!

Hey Evan,

I think that whole "costly repair" statement, which I have heard before, is total BS in my opinion. I don't want you to think I'm saying you are incorrect, just from my personal experience as well as many threads I have read. I have been running multiple trains on tighter curves, both diesels and now this Mikado, and to date I have NEVER had any issues, no grinding rails or worn wheels, etc.

I have an MTH Premier CSX AC4400CW rated for O42 and it runs great on my O36 curves and switches, it's been running this way for several months now and the motors dont even struggle, granted it looks odd due to the units overhang on the curve/length. Also have a SD70M with the same min. curve recommendation and it was my first loco ever, it's been running for over a year already and also no sign of issues, now or in the future.

I have read no physical evidence on this, or any, forum stating that a loco was physically dangerd because it was run on tighter curves than intended. Obviously I would not run a O72 engine on a O36 layout but O54 and O42? I would definitely take my chances. Nor would I recommend running a O54 loco on O36 curves at high speed with a heavy consist on a large grade lol all of those might definitely damage a loco but I believe if common sense and caution is used, he can enjoy that Mikado on his layout.

I would say this, I run my engine slow and I don't run long consists, so maybe that is why I have been lucky but I just don't like to tell people not to do something with the fear of breaking the unit when I personally have not experienced any issues nor have a seen any evidence of what you are saying.

I do appreciate feedback if I am wrong.

Thanks!

breezinup posted:

I'm not an expert, but trying out an engine on a certain size curve probably isn't going to hurt anything. If the engine slows down noticably due to the flanges rubbing on the rail, then the radius is too small. You may hear it as well. Also, Lionel seems to be conservative on their recommendations (remember, they're only recommendations, not necessarily absolutes). For example, operators will report that an engine with an O54 recommendation runs fine on 042.

However, going from an 042 recommendation to 031 may be stretching it. And just because the Lionel version is "based on" the K-Line version, even if true, that doesn't mean there weren't significant changes made by Lionel. The phrase "based on" doesn't provide any detail as to the degree of sameness. 

You'll just have to try it, but as a guess O36 might be an absolute minimum. I have an engine that says 036 minimum, and it will not run on 031, so sometimes, at least with smaller radius track, there's no wiggle room. 

Agree, you HAVE to try it before you buy it, I agree O31 might be a bit tight but only one way to find out, unless someone has tried that specific setup.

Its most likely the drawbar length. The K-Line Mike would negotiate 031 if you installed the optional longer drawbar. Same with their scale Hudson. I have shortened wireless drawbars, I suspect they could be lengthened if you cut one in the middle and inserted another piece of steel. I use lap joints and solder them together after removing the blueing. A butt joint will not work. A 1/4" overlap on each side should be strong enough.

Alternatively you could peruse Lionel's parts site, lionelsupport.com, and search on drawbars for one that looks similar but longer.

Classic example would be the Lionel SD70ace which min curve has been listed as O31, O36, and O54. Have the fantasy paint scheme of NP and my SD70ace runs fine on O31. One time bought a Lionel Wabash FM Train Master listed as O31 curve min but took at least O36. Sent it back to Lionel and they gave me a full refund.