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20 dia, 10 radius switch (trurout)

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  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Michigan City, In.
  • 781 posts
20 dia, 10 radius switch (trurout)
Posted by spikejones52002 on Monday, April 26, 2010 12:43 PM

 Does anyone make a 20 ft. diameter/10 ft. Radius switch?

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Arizona (high country 7k ft) USA
  • 676 posts
Posted by Rex in Pinetop on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 12:15 PM

I don't know of any retailers for that size but the switch plans in last year's GR would allow you to make any size switch you want.

Rex

  • Member since
    September 2009
  • From: Sunny West Coast of Florida
  • 448 posts
Posted by IRB Souther Engineer on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 5:56 PM

Yes, there were plans for #6 switches, but they could be probably be easily modified to your desired size.

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Michigan City, In.
  • 781 posts
Posted by spikejones52002 on Thursday, April 29, 2010 1:57 PM

I really do not understand the numbering system for switches.

Why don't the just use the radius/diameter of the curve track?

I have the same problem when they use a percent for amount of curve.

  • Member since
    September 2009
  • From: Sunny West Coast of Florida
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Posted by IRB Souther Engineer on Thursday, April 29, 2010 4:40 PM

I will quote a previous GR mag. article: "...For example, a#5 turnout diverges 1" at a point 5" past the point of the frog. The larger the number, the more gradual the track diverges from the straight track..." and then later on (and I'll sum this up so there is less to read):commercial turnouts are often designed to replace one section of curved track. The divergent track curves smoothly and at the same radii. Prototype switches are normally made so that the divergent track is straight as it goes through the frog. This eliminates side pressure on the wheels and offers less chance of derailment while the wheels are passing through the gap in the rails at the frog. So there you goDead a lot to write.

Do you mean the degree of curve?

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Michigan City, In.
  • 781 posts
Posted by spikejones52002 on Saturday, May 1, 2010 12:36 PM

Thank You for the clarification.

Straight to the frog, I would not have guessed.

I am going to attempt to make my own what would be a 0.4 switch.

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