Ivatt Crab or Fairburn Tank for tight curves?

Discussion in 'Bachmann RTR' started by David Mitchell-Todd, Oct 1, 2020.

  1. David Mitchell-Todd

    David Mitchell-Todd Full Member

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    All my locos range from old to very old. So for my new layout I am planning on treating myself to a latest generation 'DCC ready' model. I have settled on on either the Bachmann 32-875 Fairburn tank or the Bachmann 32-178 Crab.

    The layout has ended up with some pretty tight curves I thought at first the tank would be better on those, but maybe a tender loco might be better. Anyone have any practical experience of these models?

    All my previous layouts were end to end type, so tight curves have not been an issue before.
     
  2. Walkingthedog

    Walkingthedog Full Member

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    How tight are the curves, what radius?
     
  3. Ron

    Ron Full Member

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    Both have a fixed 0-6-0 so it depends on your preference I think?
     
  4. David Mitchell-Todd

    David Mitchell-Todd Full Member

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    The one section I am worried about is probably about 1st radius (371mm), but it was made with flexitrack so I am not 100% sure.
     
  5. David Mitchell-Todd

    David Mitchell-Todd Full Member

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    Well that is what I thought, but I have a very old Hornby Mallard that I got in a job lot. That is also fixed 0-6-0 and hates curves, though it is actually not too good on straights either to be honest.
     
  6. Walkingthedog

    Walkingthedog Full Member

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    1st rad will be a bit dodgy. It isn’t necessarily the 0-6-0 part but the bogie having to turn too far and fouling the cylinders.
     
  7. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    I have a Bachmann Tank loco that would definitely struggle with your tight radius. It`s a 2-6-4 configuration
    https://www.modelraildatabase.com/content/images/locomotives/189_1.jpg
    I think the chassis is wider on these models than on some of the older models, so you have less side play on each axle, which means that when you`ve got 3 main axles you will get some degree of binding on a radius under 24 inches. You even have to be careful on three way points.
    If you had the center driving wheels with flanges removed it may work, but that`s a radical step to take on a nice model.
    The old Triang and Hornby models used to have flanges removed on their center axles, so that they could negotiate any radius in the set track range available at that time.
    Small tank engines....0-4-0 should be OK and also diesels with bogies, but three main axles will be a problem on tight radii.
    :tophat:Gormo
     
  8. Wolseley

    Wolseley Full Member

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    Probably not as old as mine though.

    On the subject of newer stock on tight curves, I recently converted a Hornby 700 Class 0-6-0 to run on my three rail layout and was surprised (and pleased) to find that, despite having flanges on all wheels, it negotiated Hornby Dublo standard curves and points (15 inch radius) perfectly.
     
  9. Wolseley

    Wolseley Full Member

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    Here it is in action:

     
    David Mitchell-Todd likes this.
  10. David Mitchell-Todd

    David Mitchell-Todd Full Member

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    Well I have decided to go for the tank as I spotted a bargain on eBay. So will see how that runs before going any further with the track laying. If need be I will relay the track to accommodate it.
     
  11. Wolseley

    Wolseley Full Member

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    Or fit flangeless centre drivers, which is what I would have done to the 700 class if it had not been able to negotiate the curves.

    I have a Bachmann O4 that is definitely going to need two pairs of flangeless driving wheels before it will do anything on my layout other than travel in a straight line.
     

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