[Class45]

Quick question. As is probably obvious I have a big spot spot for C45s as I lived near the Midland Mainline as a kid. Thus I want one on my layout, but I am slightly concerned how well they go round bends, some of which are quite tight on my layout.
A similar question arises with 9Fs. I had come to the conclusion that steam locos don't seem to work well enough on my layout (poor traction and/or poor pick up, e.g. my Pannier tank has reasonable traction but stalls too easily esp on points), but I wondered if a 9F might be OK with its 5 driven axles, however, does it go round reasonably tight curves?

 

[Julian2011]

The problem of tight curves is sometimes solved{??} by having no flange on one or more pairs of drive wheels. Side play on an axle can also be used. You should be able to check either before you buy, but with model curves on limited size layouts, it's always going to be a compromise.

Julian

 

[Class45]

The problem of tight curves is sometimes solved{??} by having no flange on one or more pairs of drive wheels. Side play on an axle can also be used. You should be able to check either before you buy, but with model curves on limited size layouts, it's always going to be a compromise.

Julian

Thanks for that Julian, the problem being how do you do that of buying off E bay ? Or even from a dealer 50 miles away !
I was shocked how high the bidding is going on E Bay for a second hand Class 46, I dropped out at £85 (incl P&P)..... How ****ed off would I be if I spent £85 on a Loco which then wouldn't go round my layouts corners ! I'd have to sell it again.....

 

[Julian2011]

Indeed, I can see where you are coming from. In the vast majority of cases the manufacturer will have applied one of the compromises, so the concern is to find if that's the case. As it happens, I have a Peak, not the 46, but one of the others. In this case there are 6 wheel standard bogies, with the drives... plus the outer pair on each bogie are none drive and articulated, so no problem. Putting the manufacturers model number into google will get you to their parts sheet / manual / description, where that can be seen, same for any loco. The manufacturers Blurb description will also tell you what curves the loco is expected to negotiate and their reputations depend on getting that one right.

If you also put the model number and include "review", there are lots of people just dying to tell you how to get them out of the box and {with patience} details of drive etc {Warning, you may well come across those whose words are more than their realistic value and you may die of old age before the completion of their description of ... the box!!}.

Julian

 

[Class45]

As it happens, I have a Peak, not the 46, but one of the others. In this case there are 6 wheel standard bogies, with the drives... plus the outer pair on each bogie are none drive and articulated, so no problem.

Thanks, that makes sense.
Do the full size models use the same design ?

 

[Julian2011]

I'm no expert on the originals, although I do have a vague memory of a description of the full size ones, which mentioned the outer wheels being like an independent bogie. Others with far more experience than me {maybe Wikipedia also} may confirm or otherwise.

Julian

 

[kristopher1805]

9F's had no flanges on the centre drivers which now means they would be banned from BR lines as this is no longer acceptable so the model should be the same helps get round bends and with coupling rods split into sections allows some latteral movement, after all they worked the S&D OK so there must have been enough flexibility in the coupled wheels to allow for the curves.

 

[kristopher1805]

As to model railways the old tender drive 9F's went round anything, any R2 is no problem for a Hornby and in fairness the Bachmann 9F is a good 'un but I had already upgraded when I went to take on some of these but I have never had any problem with any of them, it is down to the execution of the manufacturer so the Heljan O2 is not very good but the 47xx which you might think would be poor is not bad at all. If using R1 then it is unlikely anything modern will tackle it, everything Hornby has to tackle R2, R1 is much more for small locos these days.