Locomotive for ultra small radius?

[scolba]

Greetings folks. I am starting to look ahead to the holiday season and am interested in putting up a small, whimsical seasonal table top loop (and siding) onto a narrow piece of furniture we have, top dimensions are 60x14. All my N stuff is aimed at prototypically accurate, with the exception of the usaac nose art stuff from mt, so I am going to be on the hunt for extra engine and cars that can traverse a ludicrously small radius, that would only be used for this.

So I was wondering if you fellas know of any power units I could start with? I am thinking of using Kato track, starting at 7.2" radius, then into 5.9" radius. Probably looking at something 4 axle eh?

Appreciate any advice.

[wazzou]

I don't know for sure but I would look toward either of Bachman's 44T or 70T releases.

[u18b]

My personal favorite.

The TP70.  All developed right here on The Railwire.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=42126.0

[ednadolski]

My personal favorite.

The TP70.  All developed right here on The Railwire.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=42126.0

What's the smallest radius that can do?

Ed

[u18b]

Probably 4 or 5 inches.  I never tried it on something tight.

It's built on top of one late model Kato truck.

[u18b]

It is pretty tiny.



The disadvantage is that you would have to build one.  It is a modeling project.

The shell parts are now available again from David Cutting and his great work.
https://www.shapeways.com/marketplace/miniatures/trains?facet%5BpdcId%5D%5B0%5D=141&facet%5Bprice%5D%5Bfrom%5D=1&facet%5Bprice%5D%5Bmax%5D=2500&facet%5Bprice%5D%5Bmin%5D=1&facet%5Bprice%5D%5Bto%5D=2500&q=Wasatch&sort=&s=0#more-products

Kato is sold out of the correct truck for the prototype.  But they are showing a re-stock on Jan of 2021.
http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=s-1078&keywords=NSD402MID&maxhits=100&go=List+Parts&bool=AND&bool=AND

If you don't mind swapping for a more modern truck, Kato still has in stock SD70 trucks.  It would work identically to what is described in the build thread.
Part #929321R
http://search.cartserver.com/search/search.cgi?cartid=s-1078&keywords=NSD70MREV&maxhits=100&go=List+Parts&bool=AND&bool=AND

[u18b]

If you are wanting stock commercial loco.... I agree that the 44 tonner by Bachmann is the best bet.

[Maletrain]

How about the 0-4-0 "Docksider"?

[CRL]

I have an old 0-4-0 Atlas Rivirossi (sp?) that will handle tight radius and runs & pulls great for its size. You may be able to find one on eBay.

[Tom Todd]

I would check Spookshow for each of the suggested locos. He would usually tell you minimum radius for the loco.
Tom

[DKS]

I don't know for sure but I would look toward either of Bachman's 44T or 70T releases.

These locos have surprisingly large minimum radii. Their trucks don't swivel very much.

When you say "whimsical," are you set on a US prototype, or does it matter? Because there are loads of options from Japan that will negotiate super-tight radii.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bandai-937018-B-Train-Shorty-Nankai-Electric-Railway-Star-Wars-N-scale/202998588605

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bandai-902429-B-Train-Shorty-Tokyu-Railway-Series-5080-2-Cars-Set-N-scale/353118168224

https://www.ebay.com/itm/B-Train-Shorty-DD51-form-diesel-locomotive-and-freight-update-color-plastic/293723293094

etc...

[glakedylan]

44 ton GE
as reviewed by Mark @ spookshow.net


"The model has enough pulling power for a light-duty industrial switcher. The 44-tonner has a drawbar pull equivalent to 12 free-rolling N scale freight cars on straight and level track. The locomotive didn't stall and its headlight didn't flicker as I ran it through the turnouts and crossovers of our N scale layout. Tight-radius curves aren't a problem for this switcher. The model can easily handle 93/4" radius curves. I also ran the Bachmann 44-tonner through a 6" radius curve of flextrack. The 44-tonner has smooth slow speed performance in DCC mode, although on our DC test track the model moved jerkily at 3 volts but smoothed out at 4 volts. In both DC and DCC modes the model has a top speed of 94 scale mph, which is a lot faster than the 35 mph top speed of the prototype. With accurate details and impressive pulling power for a locomotive of its size, the Bachmann Spectrum GE 44-tonner is a great choice for a light-duty or industrial switcher on your N scale layout.")

i hope this helps

sincerely
Gary

[milw12]

I've had luck with a Kato NW2 on the unitrak ~7.25" radius, I have not tested it on the 6"- but I'm curious now.

My pre-DCC Atlas GP7 also handles 7" curves just fine but it does look suspect.

Be warned DC is fine for the NW2, but DCC at slow speeds can be choppy: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=35485.0 , which is what I'm struggling with now.

Lucas

[Mark5]

44 ton GE
as reviewed by Mark @ spookshow.net


"With accurate details and impressive pulling power for a locomotive of its size, the Bachmann Spectrum GE 44-tonner")

For those that care, the hood on this model is waaaaaaaaaaaaay too wide.

Friends say they run nice.

Mark

[wazzou]

For those that care, the hood on this model is waaaaaaaaaaaaay too wide.

Mark

While that's definitely true.  I doubt the OP is really all that concerned with that for his use mentioned in the thread.
Additionally, it's better to have one that's available, wide or not, isn't it?