Williams Scale GG-1 and 54 inch curves

They are listed for 042 minimum, so 054 shouldn't be a problem. Club members run theirs on our 072 and overhang is a non-issue. Worse case, move your scenery.

FWIW, it's a great puller.

Tom,

I've got clusters of accessories between my loops, so I don't have much room to move things. Actual measurements will help a lot. Thanks

Roger

What's the rail spacing between your loops? I would expect that accessories between the loops would be a problem. When it comes to clearance, I'd normally be looking on the outside of the curve.

Tom,

The spacing between the loops is not the issue for me. I'm not concerned about engines hitting each other on the two loops. I'm concerned with the nose of the engine hitting my carnival accessories and other items between the loops.

What's the spacing center-to-center on your two tracks?  The Williams scale GG-1 and the Lionel JLC scale one have no issues with 5" spacing between the tracks.  Overhang won't be a huge issue on O54 curves.

John,

It's not the spacing between the tracks.....it's how much the nose sticks out from the track on the curve. 

Roger

I know that Roger, since I have the VL-BB and a scale Allegheny, I'm acutely aware of the swing-out of some locomotives, especially articulated models.   My point is you have to allow for that swing on adjacent tracks for oncoming trains.  The scale GG-1 doesn't have near the overhang of the VL-BB, which has a 3" clearance requirement from the centerline of O72 curves.  Also, the inside of the curve on the adjacent track normally doesn't have the same clearance requirement.

Obviously, there could be some unique consists that have wider clearance requirements, but I typically use the VL-BB as my benchmark for clearance issues.

Gentlemen,

    Got to agree with Gilly (Tom) on this one, a serious Great Puller!

PCRR/Dave

Have not tried it on O54, but it has serious overhang on O42. I had to create a new loop just for that engine. It can pull 40 plus cars with no problem.

Bob

Bob, everything has serious overhang on O42.

My outer loop is the 54 inch curve loop. That's the loop that I would run the GG on (if I decide to get one).  Engines on both curves go in the same direction. And there's quite a lot of space between those curves. 

Bob.....can you measure the overhang on 042?  At least I'd know that it would be less than that at 54 (unless someone has 54 inch curves and can measure that).

Roger

I took some photos of some of the spots that would cause me concern. On the track is a PW GG-1 (obviously less overhang, but there's some). You can see that the inner loop is not the concern. I think the most concerning thing is the switch housing in the photo. On the other end of the layout, that won't be a problem. But here it would be (along with the accessories and buildings and Miller signs).

Roger

Unfortunately my Williams GG1 is packed away but do not have any o54 track anyway.

But have recorded overhangs and (inhangs) of my larger engines on O72 thru O96.  My MTH GG1's overhang 2.1563-inches on O72 and 1.9063-inches on O80.  Presuming some linearity my guess would be around 2.5-inch for the Williams on O54.  Again that is a guess.  And this is from center rail.

Ron

Ron,

Is that overhang measured from your outer rail?

Sorry.....missed that last sentence, Ron

Roger, I will check after work.

Bob

No that was my fault.  I added that a minute after you read it.

Hope it helps.  So that would be about 1.5-inch beyond outside rail.

Ron

Hi Roger,

Got home too late to measure last night, but I just checked it. From the outer rail on a O42 curve the overhang is just under 1 3/4 inches. These are great engines. However, I didn't realize just how much room I needed on the curves and had to modify a loop. Of course, after it scraped the wall.

Bob

Bob,

Thanks for measuring that for me. Well, 0-54 should be less than that. My main concern is that switch housing. How high is the bottom of the shell from the top of the rail (vertically). Trying to determine if it can swing out, but swing OVER the switch housing. Right now, I'm leaning towards not buying one of these. I'd hate to find out after buying it that it hits all kinds of things (especially the switch). We'll see   As you can see in the photos, I've got lots of potential obstacles in the way. But no wall. LOL

Roger