 Joined: 16/06/2022(UTC) Posts: 2 Location: Toms River, NJ
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Hello Z Community - MikeO here... anyone know how to find out the minimum radius needed to run the Marklin 88634 Diesel and 87343 Passenger Cars? Thank you.
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 Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,555 Location: Paris, France
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Hi Mike
Welcome to our great forum.
Z cars and locos are designed for track diameter as short as 290 mm. Their designs are tested with a little narrower diameters but it is safe not to go below this value.
Yes some short locos and cars may accept smaller diameters but you never know what you will purchase next so better stay within the standard. Usually try to avoid S-shaped arrangements with the narrower curves.
Cheers
Jean |
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 1 user liked this useful post by JohnjeanB
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Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,442
Location: DE-NW
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Hi! The minimum radius available from Märklin is 145 mm. I assume that all rolling stock will handle this radius unless the product specification in the catalogue or the manual gives other information. The 81873 starter set comes with a BR 216 loco and three Popwagen coaches - and 195 mm radius curves. So I assume that 195 mm is safe for long coaches and longer locomotives. My experience from H0 track is that avoiding small radii will reduce problems with some rolling stock, especially if you like long trains. Edited by user 20 June 2022 09:23:56(UTC)
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Regards Tom --- "In all of the gauges, we particularly emphasize a high level of quality, the best possible fidelity to the prototype, and absolute precision. You will see that in all of our products." (from Märklin New Items Brochure 2015, page 1) ROFLBTCUTS  |
1 user liked this useful post by H0
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 Joined: 15/09/2014(UTC) Posts: 682 Location: London
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Hi Tom, I am afraid that I have to disagree with you  , in Z gauge the tightest radius curve made by Märklin is 145mm (8510). Carim
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1 user liked this useful post by Carim
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Joined: 16/06/2022(UTC) Posts: 2 Location: Toms River, NJ
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I should have mentioned I am using Rokuhan track R018 that has a 2.76 radius - very tight.
Trying to determine a wider radius to use (Rokuhan)... e.g. 145mm (5.70866") or 195mm (7.67717)......... 222mm (8.74016") is too wide for my Z layout.
I find it very surprising that Marklin does not document minimum radius for its engines and rolling stock!!!
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Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,442
Location: DE-NW
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Originally Posted by: Carim  I am afraid that I have to disagree with you , in Z gauge the tightest radius curve made by Märklin is 145mm (8510). Thanks. I stand corrected. I should have known: They sometimes show a Z gauge layout on a 12" LP record. I have no idea which radius is included with the starter set 81520. Is it 195 mm? Originally Posted by: MikeO I find it very surprising that Marklin does not document minimum radius for its engines and rolling stock!!! They expect you to go "all Märklin". With H0, they only specify a minimum radius for rolling stock that cannot handle the R0 industrial radius. I guess they use a similar approach for Z gauge. You can use Märklin flextrack to go below the 145 mm radius, but that is just trial and error. They completely ignore track from Rokuhan, Kato, or others. The 81001 train set is one example where Märklin specify that it cannot be used on the 145 mm radius (restriction applies to the freight cars only). |
Regards Tom --- "In all of the gauges, we particularly emphasize a high level of quality, the best possible fidelity to the prototype, and absolute precision. You will see that in all of our products." (from Märklin New Items Brochure 2015, page 1) ROFLBTCUTS |
1 user liked this useful post by H0
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