Can a Class 121 and/or a Class 37 Get Around a 1st Radius Curve???? Should they??

[@piccadillymodelrailways]

Hi, I am amazed, not because they wouldn’t get round, but rather my experience with the class 121 and the restrictions on the bogies. Mine didn’t make 2nd radius on the test track because the bogies caught on the fuel tanks and constantly derailed until I dealt with the issue. Good for you sounds you got very clear plans in mind. I will watch with interest.

[@AberHaltJunction]

Thanks for the watch and comment John, appreciated. Yeah I’d heard a few other people say the same thing, it doesn’t look like anything has fallen off the bottom of my 121, and I haven’t modified it, interesting hey??? And on 2nd radius it’s a breeze, weird. Yeah I’m happy with my plans, just trying to get in my shed to get them down is what’s irking me now, the shed’s sprung a leak, but Ive almost fixed it, so watch this space!! :) Some layout content coming soon!! I like your layout, looking forward to your next vid.

[@KnutsfordIan]

Interesting to follow your progress, learning a lot. I have been getting my starting kit together; I started with a class 105 2 car DMU, and its been killing me because I didn't have any track or any controller - nothing! To run it on. Track has just arrived at our local post office so the fun begins this weekend! Just bought a Bachman Black 5 4-6-0 that used to be the mainstay of Cheshire lines back in the 950's 60's!. Its getting exciting! I may have to hold off for a few months now!

[@AberHaltJunction]

Ian that is great to hear, I’ve learnt so much from KZbin so I’m very happy to hear that you’ve learnt from my many mistakes :) . I know exactly what you mean I did exactly the same as you, bought a Class 121 and then a controller a week later and then track a week after that, my excitement when I first got it running... well I was like a little kid, you can almost hear it on my silly trailer vid, when the loco finally moved and I had lights and everything!! It was like Christmas. So yeah I feel your excitement, it’s nice to have a giggle very now and again! That 4-6-0 sounds nice, great to model what you remember, I’m exactly the same.

[@TheTrainFreak]

New Sub from Barnabas Jct Live Stream - Looks like they made it around the radius with no problems. - Jason

[@AberHaltJunction]

Thanks Jason, yes they did. Just :) :) Thanks for the sub and view and comment. MRYCG strikes again :)

[@InterCityBR]

I think you may get problems with buffers locking with some stock and wagons, like the GWR autocoach has longer buffers and would lock with the loco on 1st radius

[@AberHaltJunction]

Yeah I think the next test will be with some wagons. I think I’ll just run the class 121 on the inner loop which negates the problem with buffer lock. Good call though Intercity.

[@InterCityBR]

@@AberHaltJunction when I first started with my layout I used 1st and 2nd, as obviously room is always at a premium in model railways, we could always do with a bit more 😋 nice 37 though and the bubble 👍

[@AberHaltJunction]

Thanks. Glad you liked and yeah I love them both. Steals at around 80 quid each, including the 37 already chipped and she looks splendid. Need to get some sound in her to finish it off :) and as for the space, yeah I want to make my shed bigger or convert my loft, would love to have a layout just with 4R curves, that would be the dream. Thanks for the view and the great comments.

[@mikepooley7898]

The published track dimension is to the midpoint of the track so to measure to the outside of both sleepers you need to add another 3cm (ish)

[@AberHaltJunction]

Thanks Mike, appreciate the feedback, thanks for the view and the comment. As it turns out some of my radii may even be pushing less than 1st radius, eek!!! I need a bigger shed!!!

[@Locoforce]

some sections of my sidings are 1st radius, and i had big class 56s running fine on it!, obviously would reccomned and its probbaly smarter to have smaller trains running in the first radius line, maybe a pannier tank and an autocoach or a gwr streamiled railcar would probably be safer. i imagine the 37 will be mainly running to and from the mines which are on safer radii so it shouldnt be too much of a problem if you just keep the 37 on the other lines!

[@AberHaltJunction]

Thanks LocoForce, yeah you are spot on. Once in a blue moon the 37 may have to venture out, otherwise the coal run should be fine, adds a nice bit of running thinking which I’m looking for. Interesting to hear that you could run 56s, everyone seems to have a first radius story :). How is your loopy circuit coming along?

[@richardhiggins6471]

I've got quite a few recent Hornby steam locos (and some Bo-Bo diesels) that can cope easily with 1st radius curves, despite the boxes saying Minimum 2nd radius. Examples include Hornby J50, J15, D16, B12. You can see some of them, and diesels, being tested at: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYS8qoKXl55qfqc

[@AberHaltJunction]

Thanks Richard. Yeah there certainly is some scope to push things a bit more than the manufacturers say. I’ve got a Janus shunter and she can go around 0.5 radius!!! Thanks for your feedback I’m compiling a list on my website and I’ll be sure to put your experience up there. Cheers!!

[@AgenoriaModelTrains]

I have a layout that is all 1st radius curve and Bo-Bo diesels will go around it fine. 0-6-0 tank engines and tender engines will go around fine too, as this is all I run. Also an 0-6-2T like an N2 will do great too. I don't know about Co-Co diesels like a Class 31 though.

[@AberHaltJunction]

@AgenoriaModelTrains superb, thanks for the insight!

[@Synthematix]

Its worth mentioning that flextrack can go much tighter than 1st radius

[@AberHaltJunction]

Yeah that is very true, due to logistics my bit under the mountain is tighter than 1st radius. Wouldn’t want to push it much further though. Thanks for the comment.

[@Synthematix]

@@AberHaltJunction Due to space issues in the spare room i can only use first radius with my class 37, however as you say it will be in a tunnel and will never be seen, of course the other option is to use n gauge

[@AberHaltJunction]

Indeed you sound very similar to me. My eyes and my chubby fingers preclude n gauge, but otherwise yeah I might think about it. Can see why you did.

[@AberHaltJunction]

I now have a teeny bit of my layout slightly tighter than first.... may regret it.