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Switches-N Scale

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  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Woodstock, GA
  • 8 posts
Switches-N Scale
Posted by Slablog on Friday, January 4, 2008 11:30 AM
In setting up an old layout I had packed away, I found I had several switches which are #6 Remote switches. The RTS software I have shows the Standard Switch to be shorter than the #6. My new figure 8 with an up-and-over crossover layout says I need a standard switch right in the middle (on the ground of course). Can I use the #6 here instead of the standard without too many problems?
  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Redneck Land(Little Rock), Arkansas
  • 919 posts
Posted by arkansasrailfan on Friday, January 4, 2008 5:14 PM
Who made the switches and the layout?
-Michael It's baaaacccckkkk!!!!!! www.youtube.com/user/wyomingrailfan
  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Woodstock, GA
  • 8 posts
Posted by Slablog on Friday, January 4, 2008 8:03 PM
The tracks pieces and the switches are all Atlas.
  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Austin, TX
  • 138 posts
Posted by cregil on Saturday, January 5, 2008 12:29 PM

Assuming you intend to place the turnout where an arc of the circles goes--It probably will not work like I think you are intending without changing at least part of the curve coming off of the turnout..

On the Atlasrr.com site, in a forum, I found an explanation that the “standard” #4’s are actually designed to fit on the curve of a 19” radius in place of one piece of sectional track.  They are, therefore, the equivalent of #3.8 frogs, and right at 5” length.  Whatever the actual frog used by them is, the divergent track is at a 15 degree angle—same as 5” section of their 19” radius track.

The #6 will be about an inch longer, and at a different divergent angle, thus too long and off-tangent from your loop.

The answer I recommend: —flex track for curves.  You can come off the (roughly, 10 degree) divergence of a #6 and gently tighten the curve until you are back to the 19” radius. 

I am making several assumptions here, so measure what you have to see if what Iam assuming matches.

Crews

Signature line? Hmm... must think of something appropriate...
  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Woodstock, GA
  • 8 posts
Posted by Slablog on Saturday, January 5, 2008 6:41 PM

Thanks for your help guys. I think I have solved my problem though. You must remember, I am relatively new at this and the solution turned out to be very simple.

The #6 Switch is exactly 1 1/4" longer than the standard switch. (I'm referring to the straight section). The straight section was all I was really concerned with. It was the connecting straight piece of track right at the middle of the bottom "X", under the crossover. The curved part of the switch takes a side line out into the open space of the "8" and ends.

In the layout plan it said to use a S4 section at the top end of the straight side. I didn't notice this until I returned from the store tonight with a Standard switch in hand and measured it side by side with the #6. It is exactly 1 1/4" shorter. The same length as the S4 piece I was supposed to add in. I just omitted the S4 piece and all is well.

I feel so stupid. Thanks for putting up with me. 

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