SWMBO went out this morning so I grabbed the opportunity to do a bit more. Got further than I anticipated. Second half-circle completed and some testing done. This thread's original question was "Would the LGB Chloe run on a R0 circle track?". I don't have either a Chloe or some R0 curves, but from my experiments I would lean more towards a resounding "no". I'm none too sure whether Chloe is going to satisfactorily negotiate my production - we will have to wait and see.
Daniel's requirements were for track to run round his Christmas tree and for the curves to fit inside a space of 110cm, which was to include the clearance of loco and rolling stock overhang. So what we have got is a circle of just under 98cm diameter (outside rail edge to outside rail edge), which leaves 6cm for vehicle swing. If only SWB stock is used I believe that should be adequate.
An oval incorporating two 300mm straights was put together and I commenced the testing with the smallest of my locos that was to hand plus a selection of rolling stock. Otto type engine plus Toytrain wagon and coach, starter set coach and a Zillertal beer wagon (which matches the wheelbase of the longer LGB stuff). I quickly discovered the latter was unsuitable due to coupling clearance, a tendency for the wheels and pivoting axles to bind plus putting the total weight at it's limit. Otto ran well at slow speed with the rest of the train, but I suspect the last coach was causing a little wheel slip due to the weight needing to be hauled round the sharp radius.
Next, as I couldn't lay my hands on a Stainz I used a 2017d type (with tender because the loco only has a finger type hook to connect at the rear). That went fine too.
Time to be a bit more adventurous. PIKO 0-6-0 with the same load. It coped with the radius quite well due to there being a significant amount of sideplay on the centre axle. I did notice a little hesitancy, but that could be down to the
cra dirt on those awful wheels.
Next up a Spreewald 2-6-0. A complete no-no. At the first curve the leading pony wheels jumped over the outside rail due to the front framework restricting sideways movement.
Last gasp was an LGB Ballerina. For a moment I thought it was going to make it but the lack of play in the axles meant it was too tight and climbed up the outside rail coming to a halt.
Apart from needing to cut some redundant sleepers into suitable lengths and glue to the underside of the sleeper webbing, that's it. A job for next week as other tasks have to take priority now (and SWMBO is returned). One small compromise is that the standard LGB power connections will not fit over the new thicker track base on the curves, so may have to be positioned elsewhere. Photos and a short video below. I may create a proper thread in the trackwork section (when I have time) for easier reference if anyone else wants to give it a try. I plan to produce one more example of this for a forumite who has already expressed interest, but that will be all due to the time it takes and the mountain of other things I need to do. I am a sucker for a challenge and just wanted to see if it could be done.
PS: the yelp on the video is not wheel squeal, it's next door's pooch - a squidgy little Dachshund which wouldn't even fill a Lidl's demi-baguette.
