I’m thinking of routing my mainline to a part of my side yard and having the track wrap around a tangerine tree. From fence to the end of the walkway is 6 feet. My largest engines and rolling stock are a Bachmann 3-truck shay and 3 AMS Jackson Sharp coaches. Will these be able to handle curve this size?
Richard
Assuming the curve is 6’ diameter (implied but not stated,) 3’ radius, then the Shay will work but the coaches may not. They are spec’d for 4’ min radius (8’ diameter.)
Ok, thanks for the info Peter…may have to rethink my plans.
My AMS coaches are parked on a track accessed through an R1 (4’ Dia). switch. They WILL NOT go through that tight switch coupled - I push them in one at a time, but the trucks can handle it.
I don’t know my tightest radius as I hand bent most of my track. I do have one spot they don’t like. Many of my curves are tighter than the coaches prefer. They don’t derail, but pop the springs out of the Accucraft couplers quite regularly.
Ok…I think instead of wrapping around the tangerine tree I’ll just start the curve before the tree. I have a little more room. I’m slowly trying to increase my mainline gently so my CEO doesn’t get too upset… 
I can see the conversation, starting with “Honey, you always wanted an orange tree, right?”
Clif… On those cars… have you thought about putting “Talgo” couplers under them. I have a really tight radii on my pike, and the tangos let long thing get around…
It’s always the couplers that cause the problem, I run LGB Knuckle Couplers mainly because some 35 plus years ago I purchased some 50 pair from Watts Trains for $4.50 a pair. I know they are very much oversize, but just not wanted to spend the $$$$'s to change them out. I have always laid my track so the couplers would transverse the curves without problems. For me I changed my track design so the couplers would work, you will have to decide for yourself what would work best for you, plus if you have friends over and they run their trains do you want them to have running problems, or not.