I am building a compact switching layout. Does anyone make switches with more "turn" than #4. My understanding is #4 has the same angle as #6, it's just shorter length. I am looking for the tighets practical turn radius. I seem to recall that Peco made or makes a smaller switch, but I can't find it anywhere.
A true #4 and a true #6 will not have the same divergence. A #4 will diverge one unit of distance for every 4 units traveled. A #6 will diverge one unit for every 6 units traveled. Some pre-made switches that say they are #4 or #6 are not really the number that is on the package, you have to measure them to know for sure. US made turnouts are typically straight at the frog while some European turnouts are curved through the frog. Curving through the frog my increase the actual divergence after the frog. I wouldn't recommend anything less than a #4 unless you are running small switchers and 34-40' cars only. David
You didn't say what scale you were modeling in. In N scale, Peco makes a code 80 turnout that is a #2.4 (22.5 deg angle. 9 inch radius). Here is a link to BLW. http://www.blwnscale.com/Peco%20Insulfrog.htm Dave
In my previous post, I didn't identify the part numbers. ST-5 Right, and ST-6 Left. Sorry about that. Dave
Dave .. if the turnouts are in "scale", it would not make any difference because scale = scale. The divergance of a #4 turnout is approximately 14.4 degrees while a #6 is approximately 9.6 degrees.
Bill, You're correct about the turnout angle of divergence. Mr. Cowie didn't identify whether he was modeling in N scale, HO, O ... My response was in regard to "N" scale turnouts. An excellent commentary on Peco switches can be found at www.awrr.com. Dave
Thanks to all! I am an N scaler, by the way. I found a number of #4 and #6 Pecos in my "parts bin" as well as a few curved switches and three Setracks. Those seem to be ideal, but since I only had 3, I had to design around my #4's. Which I did. I have laid the track and done the wiring, and guess what? It works! I have a small layout (1 x 4) and I managed to shoehorn 6 industries into it, so I have LOTS of switching action! But... I am limited to my The awrr web site has me totally stoked. Thanks, Dave! Got lots of info on Peco, DCC (no go) and now I am inspired to try my first electronic project, the NAT. Thanks again! William
Hi William, good to see you here You seem to be having fun with your embryo layout! I am in the process of completely rebuilding mine, so the AWRR on the website is no more But I already have baseboards erected and starting to formulate plans for the new trackage layout. I also will have as many industries as possible, as I love switching more than any other aspect of operation. By the way, did you get the trucks on the spine cars ok?
Hi Alan! Yep, got BOTH spine cars done, tested them at the club last week. All I need now is to get time in our company's paint booth, but they're working overtime, so it'll be a week or two before I can slip in my TTX Yellow paint job. Back to the NAT - I am not a little intimidated to venture into electronics. After taking, what, four years to get the spine cars done, I wonder if the NAT will be done in my lifetime LOL. I need to learn EVERYTHING, like what housing to put the stuff into, what is a PC board, you know, high tech stuff like that. I have a soldering iron and a workbench. Do I need any more tools than that?
