Turnout numbers

[g-pa1]

My questions are: How does a turn out number relate to the turnout? Is it an expression of the radius of the turnout? And is there a single place that I can find all the numbered turnouts and their application? Gene

[ginzokid]

Gene, The turnout number in a model is a relationship to the angle of the frog within the switch and the corresponding radius of the curved rail that turns away from the straight rail. Thanks to a chart in a book by John Armstrong, pg.42 of Creative Layout Design, I can give you the following for N scale: #4 = 45 degree curve = 132' prototype radius = 10" radius in scale #6 = 14 degree curve = 408' prototype radius = 31" radius in scale #8 = 7 degree curve = 800' prototype radius = 60" radius in scale. As you can see, the #4 is quite sharp and should be limited to 2 axle locos and short cars. The speed rating in prototype for a #4 is 20mph where as in #6 it is 35mph. Still sharp actually by prototype standards. A #8 speed limit is 45mph. Just in case you want to know, a turnout with a 1 degree curvature = 5729' prototype radius = 430" radius in scale has a speed limit of 100mph. If you have the book there is more to it. B-) & :x

[ginzokid]

Gene, Here is the page from the NMRA for turnout standards in N scale: http://www.nmra.org/standards/rp12_7.html Lots of info here for you. B-) & :x

[g-pa1]

Thanks Pete, I think I read somewhere that Atlas was going to produce a #10 turnout and it got me to wondering just what the numbers mean. Also I understand that there are turnouts that come off a curved piece of track instead of a straignt piece. I have never seen one bu where are these available? Gene

[ginzokid]

Peco makes curved turnouts. You can find them listed at Walthers. I think there are others too, but I only personally know about the Peco. B-) & :x

[ginzokid]

Here's one link: http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/552-1734 B-) & :x

[beastranger]

I think I have a curved turnout in my junkbox. Punk

[g-pa1]

Ok now I don't see a number for this curved turnout is that just a Peco way or how would one be able to see if it would be the right one? Also can Peco track be used along with Atlas or would one have to switch to all Peco? Too much thinking before I take the grandkids for wings and fries to the Owl Place(Hooters) for the oldest ones birthday. He loves the fries and wings there. Thats my story and I'm sticking to it!!! Gene

[spottzz]

Gene, Peco and Atlas work fine together as long as you use the same code. Bill

[spottzz]

Gene, I believe the "curve" turnouts go by the radius of each curve. Bill

[ginzokid]

Gene, If you noticed on the link I gave, the turnout is designated 36/18 (I think). That is the radius of the inside and outside curves. This is how Peco does it. And yes as Bill said, you can use Peco with Atlas, Bachmann, KATO etc. as long as you match the code of the track. B-)

[trains-n-scale]

Two links containing just about everything you ever wanted to know about prototype railway turnouts (aka, switches). http://www.answers.com/topic/railroad-switch http://www.du.edu/~jcalvert/railway/turnout.htm Though rather technical (i.e., Yikes!!! mathematical equations), the J.B. Calvert page is one of the most detailed pages on the subject that I have ever come across. Neville Wilson Southwest FL

[70novahound]

Here is a good site; http://www.loystoys.com/peco/about-turnouts.html and another; http://members.aol.com/GP40X/peco-mirror.html CJ]:)

[flaretired]

What a great thread. Boy do i have a lot of reading to do. Printed all of it. Now I have one question. How or where do you get switch stands for your turnouts? How do you mount them on electric switches?(Atlas code 80). Sorry two questions. Sure would be nice to see the condition of the switch if open or closed. Sorry no control panel this time around. I know I can check on my controller to see the status of a switch, but do have some switches that are manual. (electric but not hooked up) Chuck 🙂

[ginzokid]

Chuck, Check out this site: http://www.westportterminal.de/switchstands.html I trip through Walthers pages will let you find the stands made by several manufacturers. This site shows you how to make them move. Cool! Also he tells you the mfgr. names he uses. B-) & :x