When do you use a #10 switch?

tigerman Mar 12, 2001

  1. tigerman

    tigerman TrainBoard Member

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    I have seen ads for larger #10 turnouts and was wondering when you would use the larger number as opposed to a 4,6 or 8?
     
    tigerman, Mar 12, 2001
    #1
  2. GP30

    GP30 TrainBoard Member

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    you would use the #10's for like changeovers between tracks or fora highly used siding that trains go fast over into the siding. #8's and #6's do that pretty well too. #4 are for like industrial spurs, or lightly used sidings.(one near my hose is like a #3 or #2, ver tigh, but I've seen an SD70MAC setting on it before.)
     
    GP30, Mar 13, 2001
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  3. SSW9389

    SSW9389 TrainBoard Member

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    Real Railroads use a #20 crossover for high speed operations. The Walthers #10 is a step in the right direction to realistic switches for mainline operations.
     
    SSW9389, Mar 13, 2001
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  4. Gregg Mahlkov

    Gregg Mahlkov Guest

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    Actually a No. 10 switch would be about the average switch number for an industrial siding. Keep in mind that the minimum radius for industrial trackage permitted by the major Class 1 railroads is over 4.5 feet in HO scale! A No. 6 is a tight switch on the prototype! :rolleyes:
     
    Gregg Mahlkov, Mar 13, 2001
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  5. Deep Sixx

    Deep Sixx E-Mail Bounces

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    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gregg Mahlkov:
    Actually a No. 10 switch would be about the average switch number for an industrial siding. Keep in mind that the minimum radius for industrial trackage permitted by the major Class 1 railroads is over 4.5 feet in HO scale! A No. 6 is a tight switch on the prototype! :rolleyes:<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

    Just another one of the sacrifices we make in the name of space. :rolleyes:

    D6
     
    Deep Sixx, Mar 13, 2001
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  6. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Pat, Gregg, and the others are correct Tigerman. If you ever had the space to actually copy TO SCALE the switches (turnouts) and make curves laid into parabolas instead of true radii, you no longer have troubles with coupling, or long engines and cars going around your layout. In the real work, coupler swing from center to one side is a maximum of 11 degrees fpr passenger cars, and 9 degrees for freight cars as a rule. Now days with specialty cars and shock absorbing couplers, there are added rules. I still have some wood TruScale roadbed that is 60 inch radius! Try finding space to lay a 120" 180 curve in HO on your layout! Whew! :D
     
    watash, Mar 14, 2001
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  7. Mike C

    Mike C TrainBoard Member

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    Where to use a # 10 switch? Anywhere you can fit one. :D I use a minimum #6 turnout on my layout, and wish I had used the #8s that were available at the time. #10s would look GREAT for my passing tracks......Mike [​IMG]

    [ 13 March 2001: Message edited by: Mike C ]
     
    Mike C, Mar 14, 2001
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