Hi, I have an HO passenger train with EZ tracks. I set up the track with curves and the big passenger cars can't handle it.
Well first off let me welcome you to the forum, and now a question for you. Are the big passenger cars you are referring to part of your passenger train set with the EZ track?
(1) I saw the Bachmann Lafayette Baltimore & Ohio on line and it looks like the passenger cars are shorter and thus could handle a few curves.
I wasn't familiar with the train set you mention so I looked it up. The Bachmann Lafayette Baltimore & Ohio set I found is a model of an old timer. the passenger cars and the locomotive are designed to operate on the 18 inch radius EZ track that comes with the set.
(2) If I upgrade my tracks from EZ tracks, will they grip the train wheels better?
If the big passenger cars you are referring to are Standard heavyweight cars of the correct scale length, then the minimum radius of track they will run on would be a 24 inch radius. However even though they may stay on track with a 24 inch radius, they will look ridiculous because of the overhang and the angle that the trucks are turned. To look at least a bit realistic the radius of the curve track should be at least 30 inch. 32R or 34R would look much better. Another note here is a 30 inch radius circle of track will take up a space of over five square feet.
However there shorty passenger cars that can run on 18 inch radius trackage, for example some of these come with train sets and also "Roundhouse/MDC Cars -- 60' Harriman Passenger Cars" will negotiate the 18" Rad. curves.
(3) Can you put little passengers in the Lafayette Baltimore & Ohio? Some pictures I found make it look like the windows are open and some make it look like they are opaque. Anyone out there know?
Thats the beauty of modeling, it's your trains and your layout so you can do whatever you like. It's also true that some may ridicule what you have done (we don't pay much attention to those)
So yes you can put passengers in the cars, you can buy them pre painted or unpainted. There's methods to make windows opaque, you can put blinds on the windows and even make them appear partially open, but in most cases you will have to do this modeling yourself
Here is a link to the Walther's online catalog site, you can find just about all the modeling supplies that are available. There is a lot of information on their pages.
http://www.walthers.com/
I don't know if I've really answered your questions, but the best of luck with what you're doing
Cheers Willis
