Can Hornby Trains Run On Extremely Tight Curves?

[@barryosullivan5255]

Dockyard modellers: You had my curiosity, now you have my attention

[@EndlessFilmLimited]

Never a truer statement spoken.

[@christopherpeter978]

True

[@SamsTrains]

haha!! I'd love to make one of those now!! :O Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@talesfromsodor]

Is that a Django Unchained quote? XD

[@FranklinAC227]

It's "you have my curiosity now you have to keep my attention"

[@merlinandmurdoch7837]

Her: “I bet he’s thinking of another female” Him: “what’s the lowest radius Smokey joe can handle?

[@azuma7628]

They do say steam engines are female.

[@SamsTrains]

haha!! xD

[@welshdave5263]

If only images could be posted in KZbin comments, I would make that meme.

[@nigelericogden3200]

Indeed !!

[@welshdave5263]

So, this is the translation...

[@pietersnackaert]

Next episode: Sam discovers micro layouts and makes one.

[@SamsTrains]

Ooh that sounds awesome - I guess I could now!! xD Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@mikeking2539]

@@SamsTrains "T" gauge check it out.

[@seankash8546]

Micro layouts can be done in any gauge! I've been successful running some 2-6-2's over curves like these.

[@Wreckedftfoxy]

lol nah he figures out model railways in scrap mechanic

[@SodorFloof]

Smokey Joe deserves an award. The “Curve Master”!

[@An_Economist_Plays]

It is a mountain pony.

[@EofETrainsandLCs]

True!

[@ayeshafenner7180]

Joe only made it around because he's very small

[@smokeyjoesrailroad]

Thank you lol

[@BMMEC6000]

SPOILERS!!!

[@Steamer96]

Usually a loco with wheels closer to each other can handle tight curves, the drawback to a shorter wheelbase is hunting oscillation happens more on it vs a longer wheelbase. Also you should've done the minimum radius for coupling since some yards can have engines like the Pecketts and SECR P class and little space.

[@davebell4917]

Yards also have the problem of the points. I suppose somebody making their own could try to build a shorter radius version. I remember seeing very old articles about that, and I think you would need some purpose-made jigs to bend the rail, Also, the materials would matter, but steel. nickel silver, or brass? Would the bent rail need annealing? On real railways they use gauge widening on tight curves. Partly it reduces the side wear on rails and flanges. Because of the wheel profile, there's a slight taper, it can also affect wheel slip, but I look at the math on that in the research papers I found, and I get a headache.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah that's right, thanks a lot for the info! I will have to try this some time with 0-6-0s! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@RichardKuivila1947]

x-8-x locos have too many flanges on all of those drivers. Front pair and back pair ONLY, works.

[@MoleculeMind7]

I made a roundy round layout with 9” curves after being inspired by budget model railways

[@andrewjames1190]

I am building one right now. Just awaiting some parts which will be here for the weekend.

[@SamsTrains]

That sounds awesome Jordan - what do you run on it?! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@LordPhobos6502]

Similar story - 230mm curves for my model trams. Some locos will still make that curve too :p I used a laser-cut stencil to make the curves on soldered PCB sleepers, with room gor transition curves... I'm so happy with the trackwork :)

[@MoleculeMind7]

@@LordPhobos6502 I had a wooden track setter laser cut for me which sits between the flexi track rails. I had two made actually with the correct spacing for Hornby tracks so the ends of the curves met the straights and points correctly. you can run old Hornby bo bos on the curves and I'm currently shortening a bubble car.

[@thecaledonian4]

This is the answer to my prayers! I’ve seen a channel called Budget Model Railways do an 18-inch-wide loop layout so about 16” for a full 180 degree turn. The childlike joy you show when Smokey makes it round that -2nd curve is hilarious. More experimental videos please! - The Caledonian

[@SamsTrains]

haha thanks so much - really glad you liked it! I'll do more like this soon hopefully!! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@johntunicliffe9019]

You hit the nail on the head Sam. Many people don't have space for 3rd or 4th radii. So 1st and 0 radius are a God send. Brilliant experiment. Thanks Sam.

[@pjstar4561]

Sam: puts modern music in his video Indy: Falls off his chair in utter disbelief...

[@SamsTrains]

haha I know right - what's going on!?? :O Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@MisterSprocket16]

Greetings from America! I liked this experiment quite a lot, it reminded me of my grandfather's stories of his old workplace in St. Louis Missouri. He worked at a boiler fabrication plant and they had rail lines running inside the building to help transport their work. Many of the curves were so tight that only a little two axle loco would run on them and the freight cars (wagons you call them) would squeal as they went around the curves. Good memories, keep up the good work, I'm a huge fan of British steam locos. Cheers!

[@SamsTrains]

Greeting Allen, really glad you enjoyed the experiment! That sounds fascinating - I bet he had some real tales to tell! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@seagraverailwaysandmodels2408]

The guys over at Budget Model Railways have done some excellent tight radius layouts for 0-4-0s - but don’t think even they went this tight!

[@IronHorseRailways]

They got an old deltic to go Around 0 Radius too!

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah I heard about those - I'll have to check that out! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@mattsmocs3281]

Actually these curves are actually extremely common in American interurban/ trolley modeling! Some even sharper curves too. Tight curves like this exist IRL in industrial settings often. Also in America we solder these curves typically to solve the break issue.

[@mytinplaterailway]

I wonder if it might be interesting to see how larger loco's would get on with the original curve? Tender loco's, carriages, wagons etc. Could a small layout cater for an A4? Just a thought.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah that is the big question - I might do this again some time!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@j0nn032]

This is a late comment but I do want to share this: I tested this theory on a bunch of trains and quite shockingly my Hornby P2 Cock O’ The North could easily handle curves between radius 0 and 1st radius. Any tighter than the curve I tested it on made it derail due to its massive wheel base. My Flying Scotsman however handled up to radius 0.

[@smashrc8481]

Anyone else hoping the track would come loose and what ever was on it to go flying? ...No just me

[@SamsTrains]

haha it did cross my mind... I was wearing goggles after -2nd radius! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Great video Sam. I've seen others make incredible micro layouts using curves similar to this but you really pushed it to the limit! I've always wanted to have a go at a minimum circuit layout, maybe I'll have to try it out now! Thanks for sharing with us 😃

[@andrewjames1190]

I think you're approach with modular sections would combine really well with micro curves used offscreen like a fiddle yard.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

@@andrewjames1190 Thanks Andrew, that's not a bad idea! I may have to implement that some day 👍

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot mate, yeah I've heard about those too - I'd love to build one myself now!! :O Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@scottlewis775]

Sam’s Trains: uploads a new experiment video. Me: How could he have known I needed to relax after a stressful week at uni? Thanks for being here when we need you Sam.

[@SamsTrains]

haha thanks Scott, that's my pleasure mate - hope life is good at Uni! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@buddyhoward8963]

7:12 "I can't imagine a layout with curves that tight" did you forget about mines, and city tram layouts?

[@joeyfletchengines]

Can you try this with the larger locos I see my larger diesel locos get round first radius bends and I'm just curious how much they can take

[@SamsTrains]

Great idea Joey - I reckon they could take at least radius 0, maybe less?? :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@stanley3647]

@@SamsTrains Try to leave all curves at board for future testing... maybe nail curve track to board - make it more rigid. Try with wagons maybe as well? Will be interesting how tight it can be for limited room ;)

[@BoxtankEngine]

I did the opposite once, I built a circuit of radius 25… I actually did try to build a layout with -1st radius and it kind of worked. I eventually just got a little Märklin BR 01 on the layout and the outcome of that convinced me that it wasn’t the best idea. But yeah, I ran an 0-6-0 on it too…

[@thechair371]

-3rd rails: You can't beat me. Sam: I know, but he can. *Smokey Joe has joined the battle*

[@PieAndChips]

I choose Pikachu

[@GaryNumeroUno]

Class 40 respectfully withdraws from the competition!

[@SamsTrains]

haha I know right!! ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@stephania6322]

Kijoikkk

[@stephania6322]

@@SamsTrains jijkijkij

[@Gothix1066]

7:44 Gee whiz! That looks like Minecraft style track now lol.

[@SamsTrains]

haha I know!! Maybe I could build a minecraft layout?! ;D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Kuriboh1008]

@@SamsTrains My favourite Minecraft minecart is Smokey Joe

[@Ezz652]

@@SamsTrains YES PLEASE DO THAT

[@pugwash1]

Maybe you should use this for future reviews to show the limit a train could turn Before either derailing or flopping off the track

[@SamsTrains]

Great idea!! If I had the time and space, that'd be an awesome feature to add! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@cmdrbudman1ao580]

@@SamsTrains Just use the same piece of wood with all the curves already attached. Could even screw down one of those Mehano controllers and wire them all up.

[@williamcarrington61]

​@@SamsTrainsMakes me think about the Port of London Authority system around the Silvertown area . Even Tate & Lyle had a connection to British Railways. However we won't linger on the failed attempt to run bulk sugar tankers disaster. The Train of Tankers was "Lost", a shunting error !

[@GearHeadedHamster]

The mathematics of track geometry is absolutely fascinating. Other experiments to try is running 0-4-0's with long wheel bases. running 0-6-0's. bogied locos. Or various rolling stock and watching how the cuppers interact. there's just so much to try.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah it is actually - it's amazing that all of these models just work when they're released!! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@GearHeadedHamster]

@@SamsTrains No problem. Have fun with your new urban trolley layout ;)

[@creepertwins7066]

When you did 0 radius Me: let me guess you’re going to go into negative radius numbers *goes into negative numbers* Me: knew it

[@SamsTrains]

haha you called it!! xD Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@TheMemeTankEngine]

@@___1205 can u stop plplease

[@alan_mythicalgnome]

I remember when I was 6 years old, my Dad made my layout with 'Play Craft' curves which I think came from a clockwork trainset.They were a lot tighter than 1st radius curves. My good old faithful, Triang, bright yellow 0-4-0T 'Connie' loco was more than happy to go round them. At aged 6, it regularly went round them virtually at the speed of light. This loco was was played to death. I loved it. *(Just been on Google. Playcraft track was designed for French HO scale in the 1960s)

[@EthansTrains]

Budget Model Railways has a layout that has ridiculously tight curves, you should see it! I like these experimental videos! :)

[@SamsTrains]

Ooh awesome - I will look into that! Thanks mate, glad you like them! :D Cheers, Sam :)

[@OlivierGabin]

@@SamsTrains They made 228mm/9in radius curves, and it works fine. And another with 7 1/2 in/190mm curve radius, here is the video : kzbin.info/www/bejne/pn-Uon-trtOSmMk

[@richardclowes6123]

I'm hugely glad I came across this video as I am setting up my track to run my Hogwarts Express (4-6-0) on 1st radius curves as it is the only way to use my shed space. So far it has run on my test layout okay but I have heard other railway video presenters saying that if you use a tighter curve than what is recommended that you will burn out the motor and cause other damages to boot ! As I consider you as the 'expert on testing trains' I would seriously appreciate your honest opinion. All your videos have been so worth watching as I learn so much from them. Thank you, Rick the Bulldog from Digon Alley Station.

[@KieranMcGovern7530]

Sam was barely able to handy the shear size if his wood......

[@SamsTrains]

haha I know right!! xD Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@robmasterman]

What a wonderful experiment Sam, confirms why the real size locos were built to operate on tight curves....and how well these small locos have been made....Bob

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot Bob - yeah absolutely - I'm amazed by this really!! :O Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@PieAndChips]

Next time on Sam's Trains, Sam tests Hornby's ability to defy gravity by nailing the track to the ceiling

[@SamsTrains]

haha we'll see about that!! ;D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@OlivierGabin]

@@SamsTrains Further step affter this one : can we do model railroading in low Earth orbit. Featuring Sam in the ISS.

[@PieAndChips]

@@OlivierGabin looooooooool

[@lfewell2161]

@@SamsTrains Looking forward to this, can be done as Jennifer kirk has done this with a locomotive, I'm sure you're more than capable of making it work with a train.

[@ouchieduck2459]

now heres a fun counter experiment, do the reverse.... Whats the largest loco you can feasibally get round each of the curves?

[@MistaMatthews]

Yes!!

[@SamsTrains]

haha yeah!! I'm thinking about doing something similar in the future - maybe!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@photographerjamie]

Smokey Joe is the little engine that could! What a little legend! Wonder if Hornby is watching..

[@SamsTrains]

I know right!! There's nothing he can't do?!? ;D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@photographerjamie]

@@SamsTrains Not a problem, very entertaining ^^

[@closeyamy]

Fun experiment, crazy that they could go round that tiny last curve!

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Chloe - yeah I was really impressed with that! :O Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@MistaMatthews]

Hi Sam, great video! This is something I have been wondering about! Any chance you could do a continuation and test what kind of loco's can make 1st radius curves despite manufacturer recommendation such as some larger steam loco's, dmu's/emu's?

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot mate - yeah great idea, that would be a great one to try! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@GelatoTaco]

Just started getting into the hobby in the past 2 weeks or so, and as a man who greatly enjoys slightly scuffed DIY kinda stuff, these tighter turns are right up my alley. This actually massively helps me in terms of just how compact I can make a small railyard I have planned. Hopefully I can snag a nice used model as my first to use as a shunter.

[@SamsTrains]

Fantastic! Good luck! Just remember not to make the curves too tight, as it can stress the wheel flanges. Also take couplings into account when you're designing curves - typical NEM couplings can usually only handle wider couplings! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@LIMowersAndMore]

I can hear the flanges screaming, “ouch”.

[@SamsTrains]

haha yeah... it was a bit painful at the end there! ;D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@stefanwosinsky1935]

Phew... for a second i was afraid the loco’s on the shelf above the staircase we’re gonna take a dive, but luckily you managed to squeeze through... nice test, i have some fleischmanns (1/87) that’ll accept a 357mm curve, although i have 1 streamlined class 03 that refuses to do it.

[@SamsTrains]

haha I'm used to them now, always got to be careful, lol! Ooh that sounds interesting! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@alegorailwaymodeller3115]

I made a layout for my brother and it's got 20 inches as a diameter and we can run triang 0,6,0 engines with no flanges on the middle set ok

[@cheesekay7314]

Jesus

[@SamsTrains]

Wow, that sounds awesome - yeah the blind axles will definitely make a big difference there! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@uniquely.mediocre1865]

If you could redo this experiment with locos pulling trains, experiment with coaches, freight, 4 wheeled, 6 wheeled, 2 axel bogies, and 3 axel bogies (im sure the 6 wheeled and 3 axle bogies won't work). Also if you could do variations of the double driving axel locos (2-4-0, 4-4-0, 2-4-2, and maybe even single wheelers 4-2-0, 2-2-0, 2-2-2, 4-2-2) These radius' are gonna be amazing if you want narrow mountain routes or light railways. Technically you could get rolling stock around that -3 radius turn as long as its being pushed and uncoupled, definitely interesting things to use in a layout

[@SamsTrains]

Great idea! It'd be fun to try some other combinations on this - good point! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@uniquely.mediocre1865]

@@SamsTrains ill keep my eyes peeled for the next video then, I really enjoyed this one

[@TrainosaurusMC]

Sam has posted another great video :)

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much!! :D

[@CymruJedi]

This was actually a fantastic idea for a video. Great content mate!

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much, really glad you liked it mate! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@dasmann3904]

My “Strathyre station” layout has a curve that I would call -2nd radius curve. The curve goes round a board just over 30cm wide. Another thing, I thought that you should create a bloopers series!-Das Mann

[@welshdave5263]

Either a bloops video compilation, or a just a couple of them in the KZbin shorts format.

[@SamsTrains]

Blimey, that is pretty tight - what sort of engines do you run on that?! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@nigelericogden3200]

Exactly right Sam ... I have the second radius curves ... but I can never fix them to a baseboard due to lack of space ... definitely food for thought .... Crazy !!

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Nigel - yeah that's it, worth remembering!! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@masterofsouthern5427]

Well N gauge is now useless for more now 😂 great video Sam🙂

[@SamsTrains]

haha exactly!! ;D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@TheDiscobeef]

Thanks for showing the stages. I've been hoping to make a roundy-round shelf layout for my pecket and this gives me confidence I can get there

[@SamsTrains]

It's a pleasure Stuart - sounds great, good luck with it!! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@nickdaniels4899]

If Hornby ever decide to go down the Narrow gauge modeling route, they should take tips from your good self. :)

[@SamsTrains]

haha thank you - I'm sure there's not much they could learn from me though! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@SilverDragonTV]

Smokey Joe is the "Onion Bubs" of model trains. You can't not love him. Truly a perfect specimen.

[@SamsTrains]

haha you're right, haha!! ;D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@TheSaint491]

1:17 sam, being the youngest middle aged school teacher ever

[@SamsTrains]

haha!! xD

[@bluskidu]

I went to Check online because it’s my birthday, and I find this! Great video Sam hope you do more in the future! 🚂😄

[@SamsTrains]

haha awesome!! Happy birthday my friend!! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@bluskidu]

Thank you Sam! 😃

[@solidsnake4595]

smokey Joe: Senpai did i do good? SamsTrains: better than i had hoped i was expecting you to derail on less of a curve!

[@smokeyjoesrailroad]

What lol

[@solidsnake4595]

@@smokeyjoesrailroad i have lockdown syndrome i have been given the cure but its gunna take a while before the effects kick in i bet XD

[@SamsTrains]

haha!! I feel exactly the same!! xD Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@andrewknights1304]

Hi Sam. Great fun. I did, some years back, have an exhibition layout "Yarmouth Quay" based on the Great Yarmouth Tramway. It was 2ft by 4ft with 8ins radius curve, inset into the road. Admittedly the track was all hand laid and there was some(?) gauge widening! But a Mainline 03 could do it with all six wheels flanged. Buffer lock? Yes hand knitted wire couplers, fully automatic, ex office paper clips provided the wire. The layout did many shows over five years before being sold on. Even went to the Great Yarmouth show once....

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks very much Andrew, that sounds fantastic - 8 inch curves must have been very extreme, great to hear it turned out well though!! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@markfiddament9383]

Next project - ghost train layout...

[@SamsTrains]

Ooh that sounds spooky Mark!! :O Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@cadenchristiansen3553]

sam i love your videos i am been very sad and depressed as of resent and your videos keep me going and keep me from hurting myself thank you sam

[@SamsTrains]

Hey Caden, sorry to hear you're not doing too well mate, glad the videos are helping a bit though. Chin up my friend! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@rustyduncan3664]

Next video: Can a model train climb a wall

[@SamsTrains]

haha!! Now there's a question!! ;D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@kentlangham5811]

Back in the 1980's there was a train set that would do just that. I believe it was made by Tyco. You would build most of the layout on the level but 1/2 half of an oval would extend vertically off of the table. It was advertised going up a wall to support the force exerted by the train. A friend of mine had one and I remember it working fairly well but the train had to be run at near full throttle. If you find one or remanufacture one I would love to see the video.

[@jackmason7823]

He's kind of already done this with his sprocket loco 😂

[@bennickss]

Now I want to build an OO gauge wild mouse coaster using the -3rd radius curves

[@stantheshagster1484]

I'm going to try this whith my Smokey joe

[@vphil09]

Im going to try this with a garrat

[@EthansTrains]

@@vphil09 lol XD

[@SamsTrains]

Awesome! haha good luck with the Garratt! ;D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@lukehughes6094]

Great video sam. Amazing choice of locomotive. Can not wait to see more experiments with different classes of locomotive.

[@Stepney_Studios]

Yep

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much Luke - more experiments coming up soon! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@PHsRailwayVideos]

I learned something new today too - that people say 'small things amuse small minds.'

[@SamsTrains]

haha, whatever floats your boat!! ;D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@NotAnAmerican]

Smokey goes round my christmas tree in a 20cm radius track. great experiment, looking forward to building my layout dockyard with this small formfactor

[@Sam_Dabboi]

Run a decently big tender engine on those rails for fun please

[@SamsTrains]

haha good idea - I think it'd end badly though! ;D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Minitrucker231]

"This is all completely innocent!" Mate I just about lost it at that lol. Although the innuendo didn't help, I will admit, my mind went into the gutter, at full steam and derailed around a curve!

[@SamsTrains]

haha guttermind!! ;D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@tomjenssen7486]

Good fun and quite amazing how tight the curves can be. I had to make some really tight curves for my Christmas village track. The 0-4-0 makes the curves but I had to cut the buffers off the trucks and remove the hook from the couplers (replacing with a small loop of wire). I just didn't have the space to make the baseboard any deeper...but it works :) And don't even get me started on the TV set layout. I managed to squeeze 19ft of N gauge track inside an old TV set....lol. All the best mate :) Tom

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot Tom - yeah that's the issue isn't it? Trying to couple something! At least I know what to do if I try this again - thanks mate! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@TheSharkKing45]

1) I think that you might want to let Hornby know of your discovery , Sam... as this is genuinely impressive. Perhaps 0 Radius and -1 Radius could be the new minimum for UK HO/00 gauge layouts! 2) Perhaps this test could be redone with 0-6-0 tank and tender engines , with the 0 Radius and -1 Radius curves?

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks mate - it would be awesome to see Hornby release say an industrial train set with ultra tight curves - could open up a new market there! Great idea - I should really have tried other engines on it! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@markgarside165]

Really enjoyed that Sam. Your enthusiasm makes it. Never connected model trains with getting wood before but there you go. First time for everything :))))))

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much Mark - haha!! xD Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@andywalker6]

Love this video, I've been working on a Layout and was trying to get 6", but sadly buffer lock intervened. My working test bed is 7.5" radius or 190mm and what you can get running round is amazing. I usually use Hornby standard couplings with only one coupling hook. I am still testing and haven't tried an 0-6-0, but 0-4-0's run great and you can even run full length coaches if you modify the bogies the end stops on the bogies. After modifying the container and removing a coupling or two I got my Coca Cola train to run round it!

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot Andrew - yeah bufferlock is a bugger isn't it? Had quite a bit on my O gauge layout too, where the curves are too tight. Thanks for sharing mate, Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@leighwilsonartist]

Very cool Sam, just started laying track and was worried that second radius was going to be too tight, this blows my theory out of the water.😀

[@SamsTrains]

haha thanks Leigh - I think you should be fine with 2nd, haha! ;D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@JohnPW22]

Amazing! Definitely now want to see some tests with larger engines!

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much John, I might do that in the future! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@gleggett3817]

The problem with tension in the track looks to be more from the sleepers joints than the rail. I think clipping all the connections between sleepers would help. I would also cut a guide out of a sheet of wood with the right radius to bend the rail against to get a smooth transition.

[@olivertaylor4034]

I like the music you used, adds a clean, modern touch to the video!

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much - glad you liked it Oliver! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@danhudson4614]

Totally trying this, not to the extreme but for a smaller layout this is genius!.

[@SamsTrains]

haha sounds good Dan - all the best with it! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@rinnmhor]

For years Jouef made a 12inch radius (smaller than hornby first radius), modellers often used it for tram lines/dock layouts. If you only have room for first radius it's handy if you get some as it's set track that allows you to add in an inner line on a first radius layout - almost everything that was made in margate to go around a first radius will also go around it without any problem. I used it on my layout before to achieve a fifth inner line, the outer 4 being standard hornby 1st-4th radius.

[@SamsTrains]

I never knew about this Christian, thanks for sharing! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@1982james111]

I'm glad you took my recommendation on this 👌🏻 I'd like to see how tight you could get a larger loco to go 👍🏻 I managed a 180 within a 400mm space infront of my TV for the Christmas train with wagons also on tow 👌🏻

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot James - and that's a great idea, I'd love to try that!! Good suggestion mate! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@1982james111]

@@SamsTrains on my tight setup I kept the connections away from the turns using 900mm long lengths of Flexi track. In your video you could of used that and not have to worry about joining anywhere. Can't wait for the larger locos 😉👌🏻

[@monkeysa43]

Omg Sam thank you for making this video because I’ve got a very tight layout. It won’t be able to handle big locomotives just shunters small little trains like smoky Joe I knew someone would do a video like this so I can use first radius track now to make a loop maybe one outside that just about so thanks for doing this video it’s helped me out and answer the question that the Internet didn’t really want to answer brilliant smoky Joe is a star

[@selwynlawton7939]

Hey Sam, out of scale, long wheel flanges are fantastic for very tight curves and/or any curves and turnouts. That's why 00 Steam Locomotive front pony wheels are made "out of Scale". Australian Manufactures need follow this practice.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot for sharing Selwyn, that's very interesting! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@Sodor156]

There's no way an 0-6-0 or a tender engine would make these kind of curves (maybe 0 and -1st but not -2nd and -3rd). Would've been entertaining to see those try and make it around those bends though. ;)

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah you're right - it would have been fun to try an 0-6-0 though! ;D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@stephensmith799]

There’s a formerly rail connected industrial estate in Hayes (west London). The remaining curved tracks are extremely tight… even tighter than those shown here. There was also some extreme curves on a pier in Greenhythe, Kent

[@joeeason6538]

I mean I will never not love those pocket rockets 🤣 hornby pugs are probably the best performing model trains out there 🤣 you should do a couple more experiments to see the tightest radius they could handle rolling stock and the biggest locos you can use on the smallest radius' 😋

[@SamsTrains]

haha me too Joe - I love them more and more all the time! The Hornby pugs are great aren't they? So basic, but they work so well!! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@coreywiedenfeld3689]

Love this. I am a toy train nut so tighter curves are pretty normal. Also like seeing what people can do with micro layouts in these smaller scales. It may have been said elsewhere in the comments but the next step I think is adding a couple carriages (that is what you guys call them, right?) and seeing what radius they can make. Toy train hint: typically our couplers are attached to the trucks, not the car frame. Just a thought if you wanted to take it a step further! Cheers!

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Corey - yeah some of those layouts are amazing! Great idea - would be great to try some carriages! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@sam-yo9gd]

Hello Sam, another interesting experiment, I like these

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot Sam, glad to hear that! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@davidtucker8724]

Yes I have built a micro layout during this lockdown with sharp curves using bachmann Flexi track. I use the hattons Andrew Barclay and a hornby sentinel and they have no problems

[@SamsTrains]

Fantastic David, that sounds like a cracking project too! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@louisbuscarino7330]

Sam awesome informative video. I like videos that help with this hobby. Keep them coming .

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot Louis, really glad to hear that! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@icyfox2561]

This is a video that has helped me design new tracks

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much - that's good to hear!! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@PhillipBrodginski]

This is exactly what these small wheelbase locomotives were designed for. Some dock yards had seriously tight curves, originally designed for the likes of horses. Usually they'd just have a narrow gauge line in that case, but some places wanted to just offload or load ships directly from the regular rolling stock.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Philip - I'd love to see some curves like this in real life!! Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@railwayjade]

That’s pretty awesome, Sam. You should check out Budget Model Railways - they also squeeze models onto tight track on some of their layouts.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot Jade - yeah I've been hearing about that, I'll have to check it out! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@DillonCatterson]

Almost 100k Sam you deserve it so much!

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much mate, that's really kind of you! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@TheWoodlandhoBo]

This is really helpful as I’ve got room for an 8x2 layout 👍🏻

[@SamsTrains]

Fantastic Tim - all the best with that! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@dianekivi5349]

You can get a smother curve, if you remove the sleepers, bend the rail using a template and then rethread pairs of sleepers. I have a OO layout with 300 mm radius curves and I run Thomas, Anabel and Clarabel. I've had to remove every other coupling hook. I have remote uncoulpling and coupling too! Its called Thomas Town.

[@Callumrileyw4]

“There will be no silliness here today!” Also him: SMOKEY JOE Anyway have a nice day! -3801 productions :D

[@SamsTrains]

haha!! Thanks mate, glad you liked this one! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@ahalfsesameseedbun7472]

Aw yeah more science! This does seem like a great way to build a mountainous, standard gauge short line. Might implement this on my layout.

[@SamsTrains]

Hope you like it William! :D

[@phil.kempsey2277]

I have a board, 4’ 6” by 2’ that is crying out for a 009 layout, but I have 2 Pecketts, one is the 0-6-0, so I am keen to see if I can get a serious narrow gauge layout with Pecketts in OO.

[@highbrookendmodelrailway]

Very interesting video once again, nice to know that Hornby's little engines are so capable. I can relate to 7:26, sometimes I just lose it too when doing something as ridiculous as this! You can't help yourself! 🤣

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks mate - yes it was fun to learn how capable these are! haha yep, can't be helped! ;D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@stashyjon]

Really interesting and inspiring. I've seen some very very tight curves at some real life industrial sites, mines and docksides, so as you said a tight micro layout is very possible. My old layout had a 10inch radius curve in the fiddle yard which caused problems for some of my larger locos and longer stock, but my 0-4-0 and 0-6-0 tanks handled with few problems. I may try a few experiments myself and see whats possible

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks very much Jon - ooh interesting, I don't think I ever have! Yeah that's the trouble, larger locos don't like them! :/ Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@ewanmcgregor146]

Hey Sam, another fun little video! Those 0 Radius or -1 Radius would be perfect for industrial or dockyard type layouts! Wouldn’t recommend trying to run express passenger trains over them, though! Modeling Japan in N using Kato Unitrack, my smallest radius is 315 mm.... But I run full length (16 cars) Shinkansen at high speed on super-elevated (banked) track down to 381 mm radius! Kato’s smallest Unitrack curve is 117 mm.... But that is really intended for 0-4-0s, 4 wheelers & trams! They even have 150 mm radius points....

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks very much Ewan, yeah they totally would actually... definitely no good for express work though, lol! Thanks for sharing - sounds good!! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@MrJoeyWheeler]

That was impressive, if not entirely unpredictable! After all, short wheelbase locos like the Peckett would typically be used in areas with really tight bends, like dockyards. Places where the curves could be so tight only wagons would normally be able to handle it. I recently learned some towns had setups allowing locomotives to pull wagons onto wagon turntables from a 90 degree angle!

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks Damian - that's pretty interesting - I wonder what the tightest real life curve they ever handled was like? Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@АждарАлиев-я3р]

Thank you very much, Sam! Your experiments are so fascinating!

[@SamsTrains]

It's a pleasure mate, glad you enjoy them! :D Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@thomaslord756]

Nice one Sam. I've seen people run Smokey Joe and class 08's on an 9" radius full curve. So 18" (457mm) diameter. You would also get better results with a longer piece of flexi track and having the joints away from the curve. For example, bend a full length of flexi track over 180 degrees, clamp each end, pin the curve in place and then release the clamps and pin the remaining track as straight. This will smooth out the curve nicely. Got to say You've inspired me to make a micro layout with a 4'x2' board I've cot spare, lol. Cheers, Tom :)

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks for sharing Thomas - yeah you're absolutely right actually - certainly wouldn't have done it this way if I was building them permanently... worked okay for a quick demo though! That sounds fantastic - good luck if you go for it!! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@jamestalbot4900]

This was relatively sensible for one of your experiments Sam, nicely done. I do think you could have made it easier on yourself by not having the fixed straights and just pinning the flexi into straights and avoid the joins.

[@SamsTrains]

haha I guess it was actually! Yeah maybe you're right, but that would have meant having to drill new holes each time, so this was a bit faster! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@RiliansMusic]

This was a great video Sam I liked the reappearance of the older smokey Joe. Can't wait for more videos.-Rilian.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks so much Rillian - hope you like the next vids! :D Thanks for watching, Sam :)

[@JonatanGronoset]

-3rd radius is about what I use for my H0e (009) bookcase layout, the diameter of that is just 250mm and is the smallest the 0-4-0 and bogie coaches will allow to remain coupled. But I have seen people make nano layouts on something a small as a CD in that scale and a loco going around it, which is incredible! I'll email you some pictures of my tiny layout.

[@SamsTrains]

Wow really?! That's crazy! Wow really, in that scale?! Bonkers!! Thanks for watching, Sam :)