retro fitting with curved layout in corner

[gregc]

i have a small L-shaped layout.  I want to replace a turnout on one leg of the L for a siding on the other leg.  Finally accepting that it's too tight a bend.

planning on replacing it with a curved turnout where the 90 deg curves for each siding track meet at the current turnout point position.

the center for each curve is off the layout.   I've tried using a camera tripod to locate the center and draw lines.

i've only hand laid turnouts in place when I did the original trackwork

wondering if it might be better to try building the turnout on the bench with PC ties that would allow some adjustment during final positioning

wondering if all I need to build are the outer rails and inner rails up to the frog and can build the closure rails on the layout

 

[MisterBeasley]

I have curved turnouts in both code 100 (Peco) and code 83 (Walthers Shinohara) and all work perfectly.  The Pecos are small, like 18/22, and the others are larger.  I would not hesitate to use either.

[7j43k]

Building "on the bench" is always easier than doing it on the layout.  But then you have the task of placing it on the layout, if you do the former.  I think it comes down to your judgement with regard to this particular task.

If you are using a compass beam off of your tripod to lay out your curves, why not use the beam, set at the appropriate radius, to lay out your curved switch?  Then you won't need to adjust the switch after placement--just drop it in.

If you build the bench version, and you install the two stock (outer) rails at that time, I see no reason not to install the closure rails then, also.  After all, they HAVE to follow (as in be gaged off of) the stock rails.  That's true whether the switch is on the bench or on the layout.

If you can figure out how to place/install the switch, then building it on the bench seems superior.

 

Ed

[gregc]

in the past, i built the turnouts first and the added the track to them.

i'm glad to hear that you think building it on the bench is easier.

In this case, i'm ripping out a section of track and installing a turnout.   part of the issue is determining the radii of the curves or at least how accurate they need to be.

if i build only part of the turnout on the bench, i'm hoping that I can make adjustments (radii), frog position and # when I lay it down on the layout.     The closure rails will depend on the exact frog position.   

correct me if i'm overly concerned?

[MisterBeasley]

Seek advice and get real measurements of cuved turnouts.  The numbers in most catalogs online are wrong.

[rrinker]

 How about working the other way - build the curves in from the diverging sides and then start cutting in the turnout where they cross. Rather than trying to build a turnout that curves to meet some hypothetical curve.

 That's how a friend of mine had hand laid turnouts in place in some areas of his layout. For plain old straight turnouts he mau start at the points end and work forward, but where the geometry gets more complex, he brings togethr the diverging routes to figure out where the frog needs to go and works back.

                                           --Randy

 

[gregc]

rrinker

build the curves in from the diverging sides and then start cutting in the turnout where they cross.

yes!