Re: Plus, small rod engine comparison?

Eureka, per Baldwin, needs a 24 degree curve or less (higher the degree of curvature the tighter the curve) 24 degree is about 240' radius... This is also the tightest curve a K-37 can negotiate, and is the tightest curve found on the D&RGW's narrow gauge mainline (on Marshall Pass)

For comparison, the Tehachapi Loop is 10 degrees or 573' radius. At the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City, on a former UP branch, with historic speed of 45 allowed, our tightest curve is 7 degrees.

I believe West Side Lumber had curves as tight as 120'. We found a Carter 28' flat car would start to have negative interactions (flanges touching truss rods) below about 120'

Again, for comparison, Pacific Electric would put a 40' standard gauge box car around a 90' radius, but only a single car, coupled to a locomotive with free swinging couplers.

Randy

Randy Hees

Director, Nevada State Railroad Museum, Boulder City, retired
PacificNG.org - a curated Wiki on Pacific Slope Narrow Gauge www.pacificng.com
Moderator - Railway Preservation News www.rypn.org