I am running 042 and do fine most of the time, there are a few cars ( AF LIONEL BRAND) that don't quite like it. Maybe its their trucks are more flexible than Lionel MTH.
BTW. I only run modern version tinplate.
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I am running 042 and do fine most of the time, there are a few cars ( AF LIONEL BRAND) that don't quite like it. Maybe its their trucks are more flexible than Lionel MTH.
BTW. I only run modern version tinplate.
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I run 20" radius which is quite close to your O42, of course though I am running S gauge and all on original Gilbert track.
For the most part I don't have trouble with anything I run.
Ray
031 tubular postwar.
034 in my Marx area and 42 & 57" five rail on the rest of the layout.
Steve
I have two layouts. The 12'-by-8' has an O-72 loop and siding on which I run the larger engines and passenger trains. My most recent purchase was an MTH Premier Boston & Albany Hudson that is so nice, I may never take it off the layout. The middle loop is O-54 with a passing siding and those tracks get the first-generation diesel engines, small steam and freight trains. The O-36 inside loop was added last and usually gets a diesel switcher and a short freight. The 10'-by-5' layout is just a loop of O-54 on which I run smaller engines, a few passenger cars and short freights. All track Atlas O. There's never enough room...
MELGAR
0-82 and 0-72 minimum
9" radius..... on my N scale!
11" is a little better though as a minimum for running scale length passenger cars. I used to have decent 2x4 layout. Need to build another one.
72 inch diameter for O Gauge
30 inch radius for HO
O-36 for my current layout. Building a new layout with O-60.
52 inch minimum radius on my main line. 48 inch radius on the branch to the mine.
I'm running 3 inter-connected loops. two outer loops of 072 and one inner loop of 031.
Outer Mainline 0-84 min.
Inner Mainline 0-72 min.
0-96 for gentle curves
Local Route: 0-60 min.
I run 48 inch Radius on three main Lines and 36 inch leading into the sidings.
Mikey
Mainline 072 and bigger. One yard lead 063. I have two 041 switches ( no 3 axle power on these two switches) also two 072 switches at two different spots between the two mainlines and all other switches are 0100. 99% (+) of track is GG and a little of Atlas.
One of the 072 switches in the upper right.
The 063 yard lead track in front of the freight cars and the cars are on 072 track.
For tinplate, original O31 tubular. When I run modern on the f!oor, O72 Fasttrack.
Atlas O 099 and 108 curves on the main lines.....
Mikey, what kind if engines do you run. Wondering if you have any large engines 054 min in your yard?
I am asking about Standard Gauge only, sorry for the confusion.
In what way do your AF cars have a problem with 42" diameter? Could it be a matter of putting a drop oil on the various pivot points on the trucks or loosening the attachment post to allow a little bit of play? Or is it a matter of the body swinging too far out on curves (which can only be fixed by using a wider radius)? Train too long so that it pulls the cars to the inside on curves?
AFAIK, the reproductions are nearly identical to the originals - did AF use the same radius track as Lionel back in the day?
I have both 42" and 72" diameter. Can't recall any problems, but don't remember if I've run my AF cars on the 42" or not.
072 tubular outer SG and 042 tubular inner SG. Both loops on Johnson repro Lionel rubber roadbed.
State cars and 400E look and run better on 072 curves.
STD 57. On my seasonal Christmas layout, STD 42 & 72.
STD 72 on the main level with five rail STD/O 42 on the upper level. My Standard Gauge AF cars run fine on it. I don't have the extra long AF cars though, but my Ives cars run fine on STD 42. I double head my 400e's and have them coupled. Double headed, they will only run on STD 72. They swing of the front end of the 400e will pull the tender of the other engine off the track on STD 42.
I run tubular rail now. I got rid of the standard gauge MTH plastic roadbed track.
George
I have two standard gauge loops - the inner loop has mostly STD 57 with a little STD 72. The outer loop (closest to the wall) has mostly STD 42 with a few STD 57 curves. I run the Ives Olympian train (with 4 cars) without problems on the loop with the sharp curves. The same goes for my AF president's special pulled by a Lionel 392e.
72" on my outer 2 loops at home with 2 42" loops on the inside. At shows using the Standard Gauge squares I run 57" and 42".
I have a modular standard gauge layout using O-84 and O-72. Other than she is a little over weight, just like the owner, these radius’s work very well for everything that has been run so far.
It all depends on what you want to run on the layout
My early (1913 and before) Lionel layout original split pin track 42"
Ives layout 42" 56" & 72"
The modern era layout will have 72, 84,& 96" ...big long trains need a big radius to play.
Cheers Carey
My temporary layout has an 084 outer loop, two 072 inner loops, with an 042 loop inside those loops. When I get to build my permanent layout, it will have two 084 loops surrounding the room with bridges connecting to the tables I am using now as the temporary layout. That inner island will have an 084 loop on the outside, an 072 loop inside that, and a 042 trolley line inside that loop.
Being a SGMA member, I run STD42, STD72, and STD87, with an occasional STD57 siding, using USA Track exclusively.
Bob Nelson
Same for me as Bob Nelson - 87, 72, 42. I know that Kirk and Chris of USA track can make even wider curves, I'm tempted if I decide to build a fixed layout (mine is currently SGMA modules). With all the BIG locos I make (Challenger, GG1, E1A diesels, Daylight and 30" passenger cars), 42 rarely used, but I still own a bunch of prewar, all of which can handle the tight curves. Seeing a 60 car freight train of 200 series cars on the SGMA layout is a sight to behold. Same goes for a super long string of early hoppers pulled by 3 42's.
Jim
At the club I have 5-Rail 72 (multi-gauge), 5 Rail 42 (Multi-gauge), 54 Gargraves, 72 Gargraves, 42 (figure 8 extended).
At home I have a Gargraves 68 and a loop of 72 multi-gauge.
Scott Smith
The biggest advantage of larger diameter curves is that you can run longer trains. The original 42" diameter curves were designed with trains limited to only a few cars in mind. 72" and 87" curves allow dozens of cars to be pulled without problems.
If you like MESG (Modern Era Standard Gauge) trains, 72" and larger curves may be required. The wonderful Lionel Hiawatha and Vanderbilt sets require 72" curves as the minimum. To provide adequate clearance for these larger trains, 87" curves are required outside of the 72" curves on dual tracks.
Kirk
My Main Floor Standard Gauge Layout is 42 curves. The Upstairs Standard Gauge layout has 2- 57 curves and the rest is 42 curves. The new in-progress Upstairs O Layout is all O-36 curves.
Standard gauge: 072 outer loop and 042 on inner loop.
I will be running STD72, with a 5 rail elevated loop. It will be O54/ STD54, thanks to Kirk's help from USA Track. The best and standard of the world!
Joe Gozzo
My layouts are 57” & 42” 5 rail.
Steve
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