Curve radius for passenger trains?

[AC4400]

I have a lot of curve tracks with 18'' radius. They are definitely no good for long passenger cars. I'm wondering what is the best radius to run passenger trains. Thanks!

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

24" minimum. 30" would be better.

 

[NH Mike]

With enough truck pivot and coupler swing an 80 foot car will run on 18 inch radius. It sure won't look right and more than a few cars in a train may derail. The overhang on the inside of the radius may also cause clearance problems with switch machines or switch stands, scenery and other things along side that track. Even 60 foot cars look odd on 18 inch radius. Like Jeffery said, at least 24r, 30 would be better and 36 is even better than 30 if you have the room.

 

[Tuna]

What they said.

I have both IHC and Athearn 80-ft cars and my smallest radius is 21 5/8 (Kato). I don't have any problems running them but the overhang and angles between the cars looks a little odd.

 

[AC4400]

Thanks everybody!

 

[TrainboyH16-44]

The smaller the radius, the better laid your track has to be. I have a rather unfortunate 22" curve on my layout. It used to be 21", but we fiddled around with it enough to make it a 22. Of course, 85' passenger cars ran fine when it was 21, but when we hit 22...well, it needed some doctoring.

 

[ratled]

Be sure to check this out for any car or any scale
http://ldsig.org/ldsigwiki/hints-tips/curve_radius_rule-of-thumb

ratled