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4 Responses to Athearn SW15 On 15-Inch Radius Track
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Without verifying, I would say it should work. Most short engines and freight cars will be able to run on 15″ radius. Mid sized or larger steam locomotives, long diesel electric engines and passengers cars may or may not be able to take that 15″ radius depending on the wheel arrangement, location of stirrups (swiveling truck interferes with car skirt or stirrup) or the way the truck is mounted to the frame.
15″ radius might work with a SW15, but then you will be locked into small engines (0-6-0, 4-4-0 ) of you can up to an 18″ radius you’ll be a lot better off
15 inch radius is getting to the lower end of practicality. You restrict yourself to very short wheel based engines and rolling stock. In the prototype world this radius )beefed up by 87 times) would be restricted to in forest logging lines and very narrow gauge garden, orchard and mining enterprises
Engines and cars run better on wider radius curve tracks and less chance of derailment.