Big Steam On The Layout


M

Mikey The Locomotive Guy

Member
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The locomotives, the passenger coaches, and freight cars are all made by Bachmann.
 
Are the Santa Fe 3780 and the N&W both 4-8-4's? What is the minimum radius they will negotiate? Do they both have blind middle drivers or some sideplay? Getting big steam to run on tight radius curves can be a challenge. Even the prototypes had some problems in that vein. The 4-4-4-4 was restricted to running between New York City and Chicago because of the long wheelbase. On my layout, my mainline radius is 20 - 22 inch. By making the middle drivers blind and shimming them off the top of the rails (not visible unless you get right down with a light behind the locomotive), I can get my kitbashed Mantua 2-10-4's around those curves without trouble. Same with my 4-8-4 made from two Mantua Pacifics.
 
I have Spectrum 2-8-0 that has trouble on 24" curves. The front truck keeps popping off the track. I would prefer to stick to small steam, 2-6-0 or smaller in the future.
 
Hutch said:
I have Spectrum 2-8-0 that has trouble on 24" curves. The front truck keeps popping off the track. I would prefer to stick to small steam, 2-6-0 or smaller in the future.
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If the front pony keeps derailing, try adding a bit of weight to it, it may well fix the problem.
 
trailrider said:
Are the Santa Fe 3780 and the N&W both 4-8-4's? What is the minimum radius they will negotiate? Do they both have blind middle drivers or some sideplay? Getting big steam to run on tight radius curves can be a challenge. Even the prototypes had some problems in that vein. The 4-4-4-4 was restricted to running between New York City and Chicago because of the long wheelbase. On my layout, my mainline radius is 20 - 22 inch. By making the middle drivers blind and shimming them off the top of the rails (not visible unless you get right down with a light behind the locomotive), I can get my kitbashed Mantua 2-10-4's around those curves without trouble. Same with my 4-8-4 made from two Mantua Pacifics.
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I operate both normally with no special technique. The same is true for my big(by N scale standards) late 80s to 90s era Santa Fe frieght diesel which is also made by Bachmann.
 
Hutch said:
Thanks, I'll try it.
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Thinking about it, check to see if there should be a small spring between the chassis and the pony truck, if not you could also try adding one, one out of a cheap pen if you've one lying about anywhere, you'll have to cut it down to size tho'
 
I checked for the spring and it was there, just a bent metal spring. I over bent it a little and I think it will be fine now as far as that goes. After doing that, another problem arose. I had noticed some jogging as it was going down the track and just assumed it needed a little breaking in. This morning, it would barely run but I get it to run past where the front truck was coming off the track before so the spring is working now, but it all of a sudden stopped running. I could here the sounds from it so I know the pickups are doing there job. It was weird hearing the thing speed up and slow down but no motion at all. I brought it to work for disassembly. I'll let you know what I find although this should probably be in another thread.
 
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