Hello Everyone–
I am Steve. I am new to G-scale and have an idea for a small layout. While I know it’s best to use a 4’ diameter curve, I want operate an Aristo-Craft Lil’ Critter and their 20’ cars on a 31" diameter curve. I am seeking is anyone who has actually experienced operating a Lil Critter on a 31" or 36" radius? Please, I am not looking for advice on the virtues on using larger curves. (Believe me, I know the benefits of larger sized curves since I model in N-scale!!)
Thanks,
Steve
VSmith is your man.
sharpest curves on earth are on his pizza layout.
I think “kinky” best describes his curves. 
Hi Steve The lil’critter runs just fine on my 21" diameter pizza, so no problem at all running on the 31" diameter track. As for cars, for the 31" you should be OK with the 20’ shorty cars. My advice would be to start with one 20’ car coupled to the critter to see how it runs. The problem with the 20’ Aristo cars is that the axles are fixed, and the aristo couplers can only swing so far, if you use only hook and loops on everything you should be fine. if you can find LGB 2 axle cars they work way better as the axles pivot and track way better on the really tight curves. My Christmas train set up is an HLW Mack pulling 3 inexpensive LGB toytrain line cars with the pivoting axles, LGB hooks, all on a 21" circle. HLW minicars also work really well on these tight circles.
(http://gold.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Eggliner%20Daylight%2001.JPG)
You should be fine although I think like Vic said the LGB would work better as well as the HLW mini series. This is a wine barrel I did using the 31 inch. The engine is an LGB Porter pulling the HLW mini series log cars. I also use the Mack engine from HLW
Shawn: Nice barrel layout. Thats what I need to put on my back deck. Later RJD
