Here is a question for you guys. I will be planning a new layout, and this a new yard. I would like to model a yard with fairly tight switches, but they do use 6 axle power both to switch and drop off/pick up their trains. What is a tight switch that will allow this?, I will be using Atlas.. On my old layout... I had only that junk Code 100 snap switches are they called, the big clunkers with the big switch boxes. Are they # 8? Thanks a lot guys!
Others will be able to answer this better than me, but the Atlas "Snap Switches" are no where near a #8. I think they are closer to a #4 but probably even tighter. Your 6 axle diesels will prefer a #6 minimum turnout, but will probably operate over the #4. Personally, I think #6 should be the yard minimum, with #8 or larger to get on and off the mainline, but if space is at a premium, you gotta do whatcha gotta do! Atlas does not make a turnout larger than the #6, so you will need to look elsewhere for your #8 and higher. Check out the thread "Who makes the best turnouts"in HO scale here at Trainboard for more info. I ended up going with Peco Insulfrog turnouts for my new switching layout. They are only a couple bucks more than the Atlas but the quality is 10x better. Loy's Toys has them for $8.99 (#4). Pete
Going back many years, I remember that Atlas turnouts called #4's are actually #5's. If you're o.k. with using Atlas turouts, they will probably work well in a yard throat. Gary
<font color="336633">Welcome to TrainBoard Rob I perfer Peco, although here in England we dont give them a # we just have small, mid and large, I dont know what the small ones are like as mine have all been mid or large (or curved)</font>
Thanks for the welcome, and the info guys. I was visiting Atlas's site and found the following items (code 83). 18" Snap Switch - these look drop in compatible with the Code 100 snap switches (#4-5?) Customline turnouts, they have both # 4 and #6. These are not drop compatible with the snap switches, I think more realistic. #6 Super Switches, even more realistic but same geometry as customline turnouts? So it does seem they dont make anything bigger than a 6. Would this be a problem or can they work for mainlines? Again guys, thanks for the help!
Robby, sixes can work for mainline fine, especially what you want to do. Only place you would consider an eight would be on the ends of sidings or crossovers, and you usually move slow over them, lest you put a car on the ground, so a six should be fine. If you want eights, pick up the Walthers/Shinohara turnouts, they should work fine (but might be code 100).
Rob, I asked Atlas once if the Super #6 had the same geometry as the Custom Line, and they said no. I forget exactly what the angle and degree was, but if you e-mail them, they will tell you.
Got this reply from Atlas: "HI The angle is the same. The super switch just has a longed straight section on the diverging angle, both are straight after the frog no curve, the curve is between the frog and the points and is the same. Wayne " It would seem these would be fine for the mainline.. I would obviously slow down for them.. but would it be prototypical to use such a switch. I would be modelling after a prototype that does not have high speed sidings or crossovers... Thanks guys.
