n scale code 55 track

[railroader9731]

anyone here would know how tight of a radious i can go for katos sd 70 and 80 and atlas sd 60 (code 55 n scale atlas track)?

[Brakie]

Kato's standard Unti track train set curve is 9 3/4" but,I wouldn't want anything less then 13" for those engines.

You can go to 9 3/4" but,you may have issues with cars derailing behind those long engines.

[MountainMan]

There is also a standard 11 3/4" curve.

[Tyson Rayles]

The code of the track doesn't matter. I wouldn't want to go with less then 15" if you want them to look right, but they would probably operate on a 12" radius.

[Brakie]

The code of the track doesn't matter. I wouldn't want to go with less then 15" if you want them to look right, but they would probably operate on a 12" radius.

Mike,I suspect those engines would run on 9 3/4" curves but,would probably derail the first car its pulling.

Not so long ago there was a big pow wow about body mounted couplers on freight cars as a manufacturing standard on Train Board and the biggest howls agin the body mounts was the use of-yup-9 3/4" curve.

I think like HO those long wheel base engines and stack cars demands a broader curve-a more generous 19" curve would be the best size to start with.

As far as 9 3/4" curves the dies should be pitched into the nearest scrap dumpster and 11 3/4" curve should become the standard train set curve..

[MountainMan]

Depends on when and where your layout is set. If you model the early railroads in the Rockies, tight curves were the rule rather than the exception. Locos and rolling stock were short. Huge curves are the legacy of the mammoth trains of today.

[Brakie]

Depends on when and where your layout is set. If you model the early railroads in the Rockies, tight curves were the rule rather than the exception. Locos and rolling stock were short. Huge curves are the legacy of the mammoth trains of today.

Railroads always use wide curves since they used large steam engines..Even a 4-6-2 required a large curve.

[scubadude]

I'm using Micro Engineering code 55 flex and med turnouts. I can run the Athearn Challenger on 14'' curves, so the big diesels should do fine. My biggest problem with code 55 has been the older "pizza cutter" wheels won't roll, so replacing 200+ sets of wheels is no fun

[Tyson Rayles]

If you used Peco code 55 it's code 80 on the inside so you don't have to swap wheels. The tie spacing is a little wider but once the track is ballasted it's hard to tell. It's also a 1,000 times more durable.

[scubadude]

Yep, too late for me, I spent $600 on new track for the new layout. I do have to say the ME track tie spacing does look better than PECO....

[Kev1340]

If you used Peco code 55 it's code 80 on the inside so you don't have to swap wheels. The tie spacing is a little wider but once the track is ballasted it's hard to tell. It's also a 1,000 times more durable.

Love the stuff, plus it's easily available here in the UK!

Cheers,

Kev