Large Scale Central

Min Radius for Spectrum 2-8-0

Modeling Motive Power
#1

I know this has been brought up before, but I can’t seem to find the answer. What is the min radius required for a bachman Spectrum 2-8-0?

Thanks dan

#2

The box says 8’ diameter minimum. A friend has one and it is a beauty but big.

#3

It will do 8’ but stock, the front overhangs too much to be practical. 10 and 12 is much better.

Terry

#4

If its the C16 its going to need 8’ or wider, the Connie will do 6.5’, even 5’ dia.

#5

Dan Stuettgen said:

I know this has been brought up before, but I can’t seem to find the answer. What is the min radius required for a bachman Spectrum 2-8-0?

Thanks dan

Dan

For the new Bachmann C-19 it was designed and tested to easily go around 5’ diameter and R2 radius curves. To do this will require you to install the longer shanks for the couplers. It will not go around R1 curves.

Of course it looks better with larger diameter curves.

Stan

Stan

#6

As Mr. Burr said it does have a long front end! One way to deal with that is to cut out a 7/16 inch section off the front of the frame (Metal) with a fine toothed Zona Saw or equal, glue and screw the Pilot and coupler back on the Frame. It is still not fun to do front end moves but it is better. The Pilot Deck will need to be cut and trimed to fit back on the front of the frame. And yes it is a very nice Loco, big is size and has very good trackive effort.

Paul

#7

This is not the C-19 or the C-16, it is the 1:20.3 Spectrum outside frame 2-8-0 that has the headlight mounted on the front of the boiler and not above it. I got a great deal on it, for 225.00 so I want to be able to use it on my garden railroad, I have not started to lay track yet, but I want to make sure that my radius will handle this engine, All of my turnouts will be #5 and #6 and using code 332 aluminum switchcrafters rail.

This is the engine that was based on one of the south American designs, which I plan on Americanizing to look like a Colorado Railroad engine.

Thanks.

Dan S.

#8

Dan; That loco is commonly known as “The Connie”…it was the original 2-8-0 “Consolidated” that B’mann produced. You might want to get a new drive gear and axle from B’mann, as soon as you can, because that loco is prone to the gear failing.

The Connie will easily negotiate a 5 foot radius (10 foot diameter) curve. As others have stated; all locos look and operate much better, on as wide a radius curve as possible. it is best to try to stay wider than the stated minimum radius, if possible.

Fred Mills

#9

The 2-8-0 will work on 5’ diameter curves but it looks ridiculous with the overhang from the front pilot.

Much better when used on 8’ diameter curves.