Looking for Advice 8 wide loco on Lego curves

[edsmith0075]

I have been trying to figure out a way that I can use the lego turning radius track with an 8 wide loco... that allows me to have the steps and coupler attached to the train and not the bogie. Below I have provided pics of where Im at with this. This morning it occourred to me that I should try to connect a freight car to the loco and see if it holds through the turn. The overhang that is currently being displayed in the pics really looks bad to me...

Thanks for any feedback...

Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr

Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr

Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr

Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr

Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr

Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr

Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr

Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr

[SavaTheAggie]

You're going to have to break off bits of the locomotive's frame and attach them to the trucks. When I first started building steam engines I tried to keep things like the couplers and cow catchers attached to the frame, but with LEGO track geometry it just isn't possible.

You may even want to consider breaking off parts of the front and back decks as well.

EDIT: even moving the pivot point on your trucks as far outward as possible, it'll still cause you headaches turning corners.

--Tony

Edited October 22, 2015 by SavaTheAggie

[IronFish]

You could convert your layout to the ME rails turns, and that might be cheaper than moding something you already have 90% built.

[SavaTheAggie]

Until ME or someone else comes out with a good gentle switch, I'll be building all of my locomotives to be compatible with standard curves (and thus switches).

--Tony

[greenmtvince]

Check with Bill Dummond (Bill2Build on Flickr.) I'm pretty sure his GATX GP38 has fixed steps and details and it ran well with full scale modern rolling stock.

Otherwise, I'm totally with Tony on this one.

[edsmith0075]

Thank you all for the great replies! I ordered all the different curve sizes available through ME models. I think that was about 2-3 weeks ago. They haven't came yet and I am unable to test it out and post pics.

Do you guys think that the wider/widest radius turns through ME model will allow for fixed steps on 8 wide locos like mine?

On a side note... For anyone that has order ME models, I read on the website that it can take a few weeks for orders to ship. How long did it take for you to get your orders?

[dr_spock]

If you have a lot of flex tracks kicking around, you can use it to make different radius curves and see which one your model is most comfortable on. Then order the ME tracks that closely matches it.

[edsmith0075]

UPDATE

Got my ME Tracks in! I love the product. I ordered all the sizes and took pics of the smallest of radii available ( I think 72?). Big difference!

Check out the pics-

Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr

Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr

Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr

Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr

Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr

Untitled by Ed Smith, on Flickr

Looking for feedback.... Any advice on being able to mod the lego brand switches to accomidate the 8 wide fixed steps setup?