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The curve radius every common locomotive and car actually needs, in N, HO and O scale, with the space a full circle takes and the track that makes it possible.
Every page here is computed rather than written, so the figures match the calculator that produced them exactly. Where a figure is a hobby rule of thumb rather than a published NMRA standard, the page says so. Every table is plain HTML you can quote.
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An early road switcher with factory sound, which suits a transition era layout where a modern six axle diesel would be an anachronism.
Best for: transition era modelling, roughly the 1950s
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Athearn Genesis level detail with factory DCC and sound. This is the tier where the handrails, the fans and the underframe stop being moulded suggestions.
Best for: a detail modeller who wants sound without a separate install
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A four axle road switcher, which is the more useful locomotive on a small layout because it takes sharper curves and looks right on local freight.
Best for: a small layout where a six axle diesel would look wrong
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A six axle road diesel with factory sound, and the SD40-2 is the single most common prototype in North America, so it is right for almost any modern era layout.
Best for: a first sound equipped road diesel
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