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Radius
Aug 12, 2020 9:26:18 GMT -5
Post by norman on Aug 12, 2020 9:26:18 GMT -5
What is the minimum track curve that the AZL61004 SD 70M Flared will run on? R195-45? smaller? Thank you.
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Post by markm on Aug 12, 2020 9:48:09 GMT -5
Norman.
Welcome to the Z scale forum.
Mechanically, the minimum radius depends on the locomotive wheel base. Generally speaking nearly all of the Z scale locomotives will run well on the 195mm radius track, except for some of the longest which require a 220 mm minimum radius. Most of the Marklin locomotives will run on 145mm radius track, which is the smallest radius they produce and is generally considered to be the smallest usable radius.
From practical aspects, 195mm is generally the tightest radius used. It is the minimum standard for the popular Z-Bend track modules. With larger rail cars such as passenger cars and a number of >=60' freight, the operation can become less reliable on smaller radii.
Hope this helps,
Mark
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rvn2001
Engineer
Posts: 248
Member is Online
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Radius
Aug 12, 2020 10:22:52 GMT -5
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Post by rvn2001 on Aug 12, 2020 10:22:52 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum, Norman.
As Mark has already explained your loco should run OK on 195mm radius curves. I would choose the largest radius I could fit on my layout, though. Your trains will look better on larger radius curves and you'll have fewer derailment issues.
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Radius
Aug 12, 2020 10:53:16 GMT -5
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Post by neverland on Aug 12, 2020 10:53:16 GMT -5
Welcome Norman! I agree with the guys and caution you to consider the rolling stock you envision running. The longer flatbeds and passenger cars don’t take well to a tight radius. How big is your layout?
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Deleted
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Radius
Aug 12, 2020 12:28:11 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2020 12:28:11 GMT -5
Large radii look better, more prototypical ; if You dont'r wanna use flex track, I would suggest Rokuhan : for that reason I choosed their tracks, no radius less than 270 mm (the largest by Märklin is 240, as far as I knosw) and in some places even 490 mm ... Small raddi look too "toy-like" in my eyes.
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Radius
Aug 12, 2020 22:23:41 GMT -5
Post by husafreak on Aug 12, 2020 22:23:41 GMT -5
I've got to the point where 195r looks kind of tight to me visually but then I look at the larger scales and realize it's not too bad! HO guys run ridiculously tight curves. The only loco I have that seems a bit challenged by 195r is my AZL Mikado. It can run and run reliably on 195r but you can see it struggling a bit, especially with longer trains, it slows and spins a bit. My biggest AZL's are ES44AC's and they are happy with 195r. I like what some of the others have said about larger radii looking better. That is why Z looks so realistic. Use the largest curves you can for that reason.
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