Feldbahn Thoughts - Anyone Used Tighter Than R1 Curves?

[Zerogee]

Thinking about very small layouts, Feldbahn stock and suchlike, reminded me of a question that I may have asked here before, but I think bears more discussion....

Has anyone here actually used (in 45mm gauge) any curves TIGHTER than LGB R1? I'm thinking of things like Bertram Heyn's "Radius 0" track, or the very tight circles (right down to about 12" radius I think) that Aristo (used to?) make for putting round barrels and such?

I know that LGB Feldbahn mechanisms and rolling stock will handle sub-R1 radii, though I do recall someone posting that an LGB Feldbahn Steamer could only be run bunker-first on very tight radii because of coupler lock otherwise (due to the long rear overhang caused by the rear motor position). But what is the smallest radius that a STANDARD (ie: non-Feldbahn) LGB 4-wheel chassis block will handle, ignoring any potential coupler problems for the moment?
If you have, say, a normal Stainz motor block, will it run on anything sub-R1 without excessive flange rubbing (oo-er missus....)?

Any experiences with such matters welcome!

Jon.

 

[shropshire lad]

I've got a circle of Aristocraft barrel track which goes around our xmas tree. My fieldbahn steamer runs well on it in either direction pulling some fieldbahn flat wagons.

 

[Zerogee]

I've got a circle of Aristocraft barrel track which goes around our xmas tree. My fieldbahn steamer runs well on it in either direction pulling some fieldbahn flat wagons.

Thanks, very useful! Is the "barrel circle" around 24" overall diameter? Ever tried running anything other than Feldbahn stock round it, would a Stainz handle it?

Jon.

 

[shropshire lad]

It's around 2 feet diameter Jon.
A Bachmann 'Percy' runs around it so I would have thought that Stainz should go around ok.

 

[dutchelm]

This board is 3 ft across so this makes it about 16" radius.



A Feldbahn will also run around this layout, sorry no photos. About 7" radius.
Note, the track gauge has been widened or the loco will climb out of the track. Only running bunker first as there is too much overhang to couple.

 

[dutchelm]

I should have added that a Stainz will run around the top layout but beware overhang.

 

[dutchelm]

I had a look through my photos. This is a Bachmann tram (on USA mech) but the LGB trams are just as happy. Once again a 3 ft baseboard so about 16" radius.

LGB trams have run around this circuit all day at shows with no problems except clearance. The track is laid at 47mm gauge.

 

[PhilP]

Am I right, all the above have 'custom' track? - Gauge widened, and looks to be a lighter section, so easier to bend?
TIA,
PhilP.

 

[Zerogee]

It's around 2 feet diameter Jon.
A Bachmann 'Percy' runs around it so I would have thought that Stainz should go around ok.

Thanks!

Just a few more questions about it, the first reflecting Phil's question above: is the track gauge still 45mm using standard Aristo sleepers, or is is slightly widened like most of the hand-made track circles in other posts above? If it's still "standard" 45mm, I take it you have no trouble with wheel flanges trying to climb the railheads?

Lastly, how is the Aristo circle supplied, is it a full one-piece circle or is it sectional?

Jon.

PS: many thanks to all the other posters here, love the photos! That is just the kind of thing I'm thinking about.....

 

[dutchelm]

Am I right, all the above have 'custom' track? - Gauge widened, and looks to be a lighter section, so easier to bend?
TIA,
PhilP.

The track is Peco code 200 on PCB sleepers. Much easier to bend. I have used this method on quite a few small layouts. Just bend the rail roughly to size & hold it in place with panel pins whilst it is soldered.The second rail is then laid using a vernier gauge. If you try decreasing the radius on ready made track it tends to twist all over the place. Soldering everything makes the layout quite robust & tolerant of being humped about at shows.
I have found a photo of the last layout with LGB trams. It ran all day at Narrow Gauge South West with these 2.trams

 

[vsmith]

Aristo craft 21" dia track

21" and 31" circles, all work well with Feldbahn and HLW minicars.

 

[dunnyrail]

My little offering here is a Circuit of 15.5in Diameter to the Outside Rail. Or 7.75in Radius if you prefer. Though the Rail is Peco Code 100 Flat Bottom Soldered to Copper Clad Sleepers. If you were clever enough with either Peco 250 or LGB Rail to get this sort of Circle with a little Gauge Widening the Feldbahn would run round this Radius. Certainly I can push a LGB Steam Tram Round it, though of course the flanges do bump on the Sleepers. Just do not expect the LGB Harz 2-10-2t to go round it though!

JonD

 

[jameshilton]

This makes interesting reading for my future project ideas
Mike's top little loop layout looks quite like my miniature layout in 009...

 

[Zerogee]

Aristo craft 21" dia track

21" and 31" circles, all work well with Feldbahn and HLW minicars.

Very nice, Vic - as you have experience of the tight Aristo "barrel circles", can you answer the question of whether they are still strictly 45mm gauge or if they are slightly widened?

Jon.

 

[Zerogee]

Just posted a little ad in the "wants" section, as I'd really like to get hold of one of the Aristo circles (ideally the 31" type, but would consider other sizes or brands).... anyone got one they don't want, or could point me to a dealer who still has one, new or s/h?
Don't mind paying shipping from US if necessary!

Jon.

 

[shropshire lad]

Only just in from playing with big trains but I've measured my barrel track. It's actually 31 inches Jon with 45mm gauge and a Stainz runs around it without any problems.

 

[Zerogee]

Only just in from playing with big trains but I've measured my barrel track. It's actually 31 inches Jon with 45mm gauge and a Stainz runs around it without any problems.

Thanks, that would be ideal for what I have in mind... and great to know that a standard LGB motor block will handle it!
Now just got to find one somewhere......

Jon.

 

[Hutch]

Thinking about very small layouts, Feldbahn stock and suchlike, reminded me of a question that I may have asked here before, but I think bears more discussion....

Has anyone here actually used (in 45mm gauge) any curves TIGHTER than LGB R1? I'm thinking of things like Bertram Heyn's "Radius 0" track, or the very tight circles (right down to about 12" radius I think) that Aristo (used to?) make for putting round barrels and such?

I know that LGB Feldbahn mechanisms and rolling stock will handle sub-R1 radii, though I do recall someone posting that an LGB Feldbahn Steamer could only be run bunker-first on very tight radii because of coupler lock otherwise (due to the long rear overhang caused by the rear motor position). But what is the smallest radius that a STANDARD (ie: non-Feldbahn) LGB 4-wheel chassis block will handle, ignoring any potential coupler problems for the moment?
If you have, say, a normal Stainz motor block, will it run on anything sub-R1 without excessive flange rubbing (oo-er missus....)?

Any experiences with such matters welcome!

Jon.

The Kitchen Christmas Tree track

is 31" and have tested other LGB and Aristo locomotives

with no problems. 24" track (no pics yet) handles HLW Mack, Marklin KOF, and Aristo Lil' Critter fine.

 

[van5]

I had a circle of Radius 0 from Herr Heyn for Christmas, it is superb but the webbing sleepers are fragile. Despite being very well packed three were broken in transit. I have decided to fasten the track down to a board because repeatedly connecting and disconnecting would cause more fractures.

 

[Zerogee]

I had a circle of Radius 0 from Herr Heyn for Christmas, it is superb but the webbing sleepers are fragile. Despite being very well packed three were broken in transit. I have decided to fasten the track down to a board because repeatedly connecting and disconnecting would cause more fractures.

Thanks, Van - I would be very interested to know what locos and stock you are running on the R0 track, and how well they behave on it?

Bertram Heyn was at the Llanfair show last year with his tradestand, he'd brought a lot of interesting stuff but sadly very little of his track (mostly just some samples to show people what it was like) - there was a rumour going round that he MIGHT be being invited to come to G-Rail this year, which would be great news if true! If he does come over for that, or indeed for Llanfair again or any other show, it might be worth ordering stuff from him in advance so that it can be collected at the show....

Jon.