Trying to design a model railroad with most everything in storage is a royal pain. So . . . . Will a decapod go around a 24 inch radius curve? If not easily, what about a 30 inch radius? I am trying to stay with 36 inch radius in most places. Will a decapod handle a #4 turnout? My normal will be a #6, but am looking a place or two where a #4 wye might be handy. Rick, I love your layout photos. Do you use a 3 foot aisleway? I can't really tell, but it looks like you have plenty of "backside" room for operators to get around each other.
24" for a Decapod is probably too tight. 30" and higher will most likely work. #4s are too tight. Rick's aisles are mostly 3' and wider however there are some "pinch points" with less.
Keith, I have a question concerning the Russian Decapod's based on what you wrote above. The Bachmann Spectrum Decapod states that it can operate on 18" radius. Now the smallest radii I have is 24" for my track plan. Why would 24" be too tight? If the PFM/United Russian different from the Bachmann in terms of its size, etc.? Likewise, I'm using #5 and #6 switches. #4's too tight? Wow! I can't imagine the brass version being so picky on the radius especially with the mini drivers.
I think it is a matter of whether it has some blind (non-flanged) drivers in the middle. I figure that if the Decapod can make it, then my KCS 2-10-2 would too. Normally, one could set up a test section and see what happens, but I don't have that luxury. Trying to shoehorn the Clinton depot into a layout is going to be quite the feat. I hope to get Clinton on the upper deck and Harrisonville below it since they are close to the same configuration.
The russian decapod does have blind drivers, and it will easily run around a 24 inch radius and go through a #4 turnout. All steam locomotives not made of brass will go around a 18inch radius, they are made that way. That is why the new 2-8-8-2s have both engines on a center pivot point while the actual engine has the rear engine in a none moveable arrangement under the boiler, only the front engine was moveable. Most brass locomotives will not go around even a 24 inch radius. All Bachmann locomotives will. I know for sure because I own all of them and my layout has 24 inch radius curves.
Manny, I picked up one of the Spectrum bolsheviks in a swap with Jerome L. some time back. I have a 24" radius on my "hidden" portion of the layout, and the 2-10-0 has handled it without any problems. Thus far, that is. But "can" and "should" are often two separate matters. Best Regards,
I purchased one of the PFM/United Russians and it has flanges on all wheels. I didn't think that 24" radii would be an issue with that since the drivers are so small. I am mostly #6's, and a few #5's. That's tough to swallow.
Manny; Don't give up hope yet. Find some flex-track and tack it down to a 24" radius curve and try running the loco. Then try it at 22". #6 turnouts shouldn't be an issue but #5's might. Those locomotives were made in many production runs back in the days when snap track was popular and layouts in general were much smaller, many being 4X8 ft. Keep us posted.
With all drivers flanged, wheelbase is the key. The longer the wheelbase, the larger the radii required. Andre
