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HO Track Radius and Extended Length Cars

John has some Atlas track and a Santa Fe 5018 steam loco but has a problem he is hoping some helpful reader will help him solve. John asks:

“I have a 22 inch radius Atlas track layout and recently purchased some walthers Heavyweight passenger cars to complement my Santa Fe 5018 steam loco. Problem is; Walthers recommend a 24 inch radius minimum track. They are right about the minimum. These carriages cannot run on 22inch radius.

Does anyone know is there some way to make adjustments to the wheels so that they will turn sufficiently to meet the radius? Is there another manufacturer who makes passenger cars to complement this engine that will function on 22 radius track?

Unfortunately my layout is limited to a four x six space so I cannot expand the layout to accommodate a greater radius track.”

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One Response to HO Track Radius and Extended Length Cars

  • Tony P says:

    Hi John, Here is a not so simple solution but, is the 4 x 6 space just that, like a closet or can you make a temporary permant additional 6″ or 12″ addition that folds down when not in use. There is an article in the latest model RR magazine, page 41, and I have seen this in the past where they make a somewhat large additon to their already large lay out in another room or the same room that folds away when it is not in use, in this case the garage was used for a staging area, looks about
    8′ x 3′ and it folds up out of the way so that the garage can be used to park a car in it. I think this is a better solution to your problem than buying new cars and it gives you more room to play with and keeps everyone happy especially you, if you know what I mean, who doesn’t want more space to model in. And if that works maybe you can make it even a little bigger than what you need. Tony P

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