train yards

[g-pa1]

Every diagram I see of train yards including the new Walters catalogue I just got in the mail shows diagarams of yards and the tracks that come off the main track to make the yards seem very sharp and not able for a train consist to make the turnout. Is there a book or website that can explain or maybe even state exact turnouts for the different style yards? Gene

[g-pa1]

Here is an example of what I am referring to. Scroll down? http://www.walthers.com/exec/page/guide/n_office_tower Gene

[dl85vette]

That's just for illustration purposes only. IF they showed the true angle of a turnout, the diagram would only show a couple turnouts (therfore losing the effect of illustrating a ladder track arrangemnt) Try googling about RR tracks. There are all kinds of websites that cater to RRing.

[ginzokid]

Gene, Look at your own turnouts. There is nothing as sharp as shown in the diagrams. Come on, you are smarter than that! A number 4 model turnout is very sharp. Most Atlas and Peco turnouts are either #6 or #8. These, while basically gentle in model terms, are still very sharp in the real world. Real yards are MILES long. Go to Google like Dave said. There is a wealth of info if you take the time to look for it. B-)

[barrysfp45]

My two cents worth:^O yard turnouts are not mainline so there for are not expected to be traversed at 60mph the movement in and around most yards I have seen is usually about 5mph so the turnouts can be a bit sharper than the mainline, peco does a 4 degree set track switch that even 89' cars will travel through at a slow pace, a ladder set up is better with 6 or 8 degree but depending on the available yard property any switch can be used, wider angle looks better admittedly but if you use the yard as it should be used it doesn't matter, just don't kink the tracks to make them fit. ]:)

[g-pa1]

Hey Pete I thought you were on holiday!! That allows me to ask a leading question! Now post the turnouts for a ladder type storage yard and you will have commenced your vacation profitably!! I never could remember what turnout was gentle and which were sharper. Who needs google when we have you! Gene

[ginzokid]

Gene, Use #6s or #8s especially if you have passenger equipment. If you ever need to back a long freight into the yard, the broader turnouts are best. I had a 10 track yard ladder with #6s in N scale that was 6 feet long. That is just the ladder, not the storage tracks. You need a lot of space for a yard ladder. Check out any of the John Armstrong design books or the link below. http://www.amazon.ca/Model-Railroaders-Guide-Freight-Yards/dp/0890245762 The only vacation I was taking was a break for you guys. I'm not going any where. B-)

[sd35]

What a bummer. You could use a nice week at the beach Pete. It's really nice down at Nags Head, especially with the overhyped thunderstorm passing through. Nice and peaceful, not too many folks loitering around, and the news crews will be gone by the time you get there.

[dl85vette]

Pete, take a vacation to winnipeg. With so many trains there, I could convert ya to modern diesel modelling. You can work on my layout for me whle I'm away. There's wine in the cellar.

[g-pa1]

I ordered the book via walmart 12.98. Thanks for the info. Gene

[g-pa1]

Pete, you need a 12 step program to take a break from US!! hauntingly the OG gang

[g-pa1]

Got the book yesterday. Wow! Sure is a lot to take in for a yard challenged guy. Gene

[ginzokid]

Time to add another expansion Gene? Just think of all the added cars you can have if you have that 10ft long 20 track double ended yard. Wow! I'm jealous. B-)

[g-pa1]

Well Pete, I now am experimenting with a pinwheel yard extension (thanks to the freight yard book that I received via your help). I am going to try to post some pictures of what I am trying to accomplish.It will be a 2 foot by 4'6" extension (Though I suppose it could be 3 feet wide if needed) I tried to use every and any thing I could to illustrate what it could look like. Here is where I need help. Any turnouts that I have or have seen don't seem to be sharp enough to make this work. I need to know just what turnouts I would need. They would all be turning to the right. The straight track would be atlas flextrack. I have only propped the foam board up to see just what it would look like and maybe this whole concept isn't even possible but I thought the storage track that this will come off of wasn't possible either but I did it!! By the way this is N Scale Any info that anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated. Also if you think that a different track type would be better by all means give me the lowdown. Gene

[crazyd37]

Gene Pics are up. Now let's see what the guys say on how to solve your problem! Interesting!! Good luck.