Check out issue 1 of MRH

Check out issue 1 of MRH - there's a very helpful article on what curve radii work best with what equipment - and it's scale independent.

DCC

Lots of links in the below link and he is a regular contributor here.

http://mrdccu.com/

You can Google dcc information and get many, many links. Don't make assumptions with DCC. It can bite you. DCC is digital control of model trains and quite different from DC control. There is a learning curve.

Rich

"Can I use 15' radius curves

"Can I use 15' radius curves with the 6 driver locomotives?"

   I had an HO layout with 15 inch curves long ago and it worked ok with short equipment. I ran 4 axle diesels but I'd guess some small 6 driver locos are designed for 15 inch radius, you'll just have to figure out which ones some how....DaveB

Don't get overwhelmed

Lot of good information here and other web or book sources for DCC.  

The main thing is not to get overwhelmed by many of the advanced things you can do with DCC.  Stick with the basics to get you up and running.  

In regards to 15 inch radius curves, that's pretty tight for HO scale, but you should be okay if you stick with short cars and locomotives.  Be sure to check the manufactures specs on minimum required radius for both cars and locomotives before you purchase.

Also, don't dismiss N-Scale without checking it out as a possible option.  

Joe

For DCC

 Check with a reputable dealer and find a local DCC expert.  You may be able to convert your 0-4-0 engine to

DCC or you may not.  Don't assume.  With only 1 engine not DCC, you can convert now relatively painlessly.

15" radius

WAY bac, I had some 15" radius curves, and things looked funny, but an old 0-8-0 with blond drivers managed it.  I'd used 18" radius at the beginning of the curve, tightening it to 15" for a few sections of brass snap-track.  (40 years ago--I was a kid)

I ended up untaking the track, relaying it and leaving only the sidings with 15" radius.  Then I redid the yard lead, so IT had a 24" radius--pushing with truck mounted couplers was difficult enough with that radius and only a few cars.

The Bachmann 44 tonner is rated for 15" radius curves, and, mated with an MDC Roundhouse boxcab shell, works nicely for the late 1920's or '30's.  The MDC Roundhouse Climax shell also works nicely on that chassis.

From what I've heard, some locos rated for 18" will work well on tighter, but you'll need to research this carefully--and make sure that your trackwork is GOOD!

Oh--do you need continuous running?

(Bachmann's site says that their 45 tonner is good for 9" radius--wonder if that's an oopsie.)

I'm sure there's others that can take those curves

double checked

I just checked their website, and it says 9" on the HO version--though I suspect that it's an oopsie on someone's part...

On an experimental layout I

On an experimental layout I built a 10" radius curve(with easements) on one end. Athearn GP7/9, Athearn 40' cars and believe it or not Con-Cor MP-54's went around it just fine. I think that's the limit though, because the underside of some of the equipment revealed slight marks where the wheels had rubbed. 

By the way, tradition states that "S" curves formed by #4 turnouts are a no no as well as the small radius curve I mentioned above. I ran trains (short ones, 5 cars and a caboose) forwards, backwards, as slow as I could and as fast as I could. No problems at all. Just goes to show, take the information provided by the hobby press and other hobbyists as guidelines, not dogma. Try it yourself before you condemn an upopular concept. With so many variables involved, that's the only way to know if something will work for YOU. 

Welcome to the hobby. Start slow and simple, read a lot, prioritize so you know what's important to you. What's best for others may not be satisfying to you. 

Lou

Harlem Transfer and Bronx Terminal

The Harlem Transfer and Bronx Terminal both had 90 foot radius. In HO scale that is around12.4 inches.  Both of these were harbor freight yards serviced by car floats and I admit were unusual.  I am normally one who says a 24 inches radius on an HO scale main line is the limit.  But for a switching layout, 15 inches should be ok.  12 inches is probably a realistic absolute limit.

Art

90 foot curves

Here's how HO and S scales look on 90 foot curves of a Harlem transfer test loop ( everything ran fine btw.). The top view is HO and the trackside view S scale.....DaveB

​ 

Curvey logic

As a rule, I stay away from sharp curves, and I model logging lines.......But, I was in a "what the hell" mood one evening and had a double track of two lines - one my North Oregon Railroad and second an SP&S branch. that needed to fit in an S configuration while negotiating under a long Nelson Brothers logging trestle. The NOR branch ends up at the Buman quarry and the SP&S ends at a Signal Oil Depot and an EL Moore passenger station (also at Buman).

Whether I end up liking this arrangement after a few years is yet to be learned. The limiting factors are that there are power and car restrictions on both lines. This means that when an operator leaves the main yard for these branches he must be aware of the limted variety of power he can use. There is ample evidence of this type of practice in the prototype, SP's East side branches in the Willamette valley which required the use of GE 70 tonners (sometimes up to three in a row) because of light track and bridges is one example.  The Angel's Camp branch of the Sierra that required shorty passenger cars is another.

The NOR branch serves only the Buman quarry which uses a small 45 ton switcher and 22 foot Tichy ore cars. No problem there. The SP&S branch is a bit more complicated. While I can get an Alco RS-1 to make the curves, and 40 foot tank cars fit too, the use of other rolling stock is limited. Once again this comes back to stated restrictions on the "timetable".

It all simply adds to more complication, (which as I understand, to operators is just wonderful). Whether from an aesthetic point of view these trains negotiating the curves becomes hard to watch will only be determined by time.

There was a time, not to distant in the past, when using 15" radius curves was quite normal in model railroads. But then so was code 100 rail and  6"x6" window trim.

Lon Wall

President Nelson brother Lumber Company

North Oregon Railroad (A common carrier subsidiary of NBLCO)

Wheel base

For the 0-4-0 and other short wheel base loco's, you will need all wheel pickup. Clean wheels and track, plus powered frogs.

The slightest interruption of the DCC signal and the microprocessor on the decoder resets, loco stops. Happens with all decoders. Many loco installs, a stay alive module helps a lot but that is another discussion.

I have run the HO 44 ton with sound on tight curves but have powered frogs, hand laid turnouts.

With the steamers, you will probably have to lengthen the distance between the loco and tender.

My Athearn/Roundhouse loco's have all wheel pickups on the tenders. I had to modify the Bachmann tender wheels for all wheel pickup.

Rich

remembering a very temporary layout

I did a very temporary layout when i was laid up.  I had my brother drag the equipment up from the basement where it had sat for 40 years, and built a small loop with flex track.  The radius was well under 15" with easements; the equipment was all 40 to 50 years old.  I ran an old 4 axle diesel switcher (AHM, I think) and, amazingly, an 0-8-0 (BARELY)  The cars were also old cheapos, with truck mounted couplers.  In short, test--things will work, and others won't.

(Temporary layout was a small piece of some sort of particle board, with track tacked down onto it, and one switch...)

Space is the issue

sometimes you have to settle for smaller than desired track radius. Anything more than a trolley will not look good on HO track curves of 15 inches or less.  However, some of Kato's recent HO products are touted to operate on radius smaller than 15 inches.  As I remember, these include some modern Amtrak diesels and cars. 

Remember, you get more straight section in a track loop the smaller the radius.  So it comes down to space, operational capability and how well you can hide the sharp curves.

15" == problem with 4-6-2

I would expect your 0-4-0 and 40' or shorter rolling stock will work fine with a 15" radius. Traction modelers use tighter radii that 15".

However your 3 axle steamers are likely, but not quite guaranteed, to have trouble on that radius. A clue to how "bendable" they are is to look at the center driver - if it has no flange the loco is likely to get around pretty sharp curves. Another problem with 2-6-0, 2-6-2, or 4-6-2 locos will be how far the lead and trailing trucks can swing. If a loco can almost make it, you may be able to carve or file on the lead and trailing truck or pare-back obstructions to increase the "swingability". Someone else mentioned increasing the distance between engine and tender as potentially being required. Replacing the couplers with longer-shafted units might also help in desperate circumstances.

Small, four-axle diesels should work OK. Larger four axle diesels, such as a GP-35 or GP-40 are likely to have trouble. Six axle diesels are likely to be a problem.

Bottom line, if you keep the motive power short, you should be OK.

Good luck,

Charlie

Can I use 15" curves

Have a look at the AMRA minimum track radius standard at  http://www.amra.asn.au/standards.htm . It applies to all prototypes and scales.

Cheers,

Terry Flynn.

All I'm saying is.............

All I'm saying is, ... the Gorre and Daphtheid first layout started off with 14.5 inch curves............. and look where that all ended up 27 years later. 

Don't be scared to start small, from small acorns big oak trees grow. 

Go for it!!!

... the Gorre and

He did remove those radii when he started to build around it.

Steve