Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Atlas 15 inch radius snap switch, does it exist?

1982 views
6 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    September 2020
  • 432 posts
Atlas 15 inch radius snap switch, does it exist?
Posted by JDawg on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 10:04 AM

So, I was messing around in Scarm the other day and saw that there was a 22, 18, and 15 inch radius snapswitch listed in code 100. I have never seen a 15 inch radius snap switch but am interested to see if one exists. Anyone seen/own one?

JJF


Prototypically modeling the Great Northern in Minnesota with just a hint of freelancing. Smile, Wink & Grin

Yesterday is History.

Tomorrow is a Mystery.

But today is a Gift, that is why it is called the Present. 

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 10:18 AM

You can get 15" r. track sections, but I don't see any turnouts like, after doing a quick search.

You don't want to use 15" r. anyway, unless it's out of dire necessity, and if that's the case,  you could probably use the #4 snap switch, which I believe is about 18" r.

Mike.

 

  • Member since
    June 2007
  • 8,892 posts
Posted by riogrande5761 on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 11:39 AM

Can't say I've ever seen a 15" closure radius turnout.  I imagine a #4 is the smallest you'll find.

If you plan 15" curves, I don't know if even 50' boxcars would behave on them, it would be best to stick with 40' freight cars and a short engine such as a GE44 ton or other short switcher.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 11:47 AM

I am not aware of a 15" radius snap-switch. The Peco small radius turnout is about 17" radius.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    September 2014
  • From: 10,430’ (3,179 m)
  • 2,311 posts
Posted by jjdamnit on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 12:50 PM

Hello All,

For the wye on my pike I used the PECO ST-240 & 241 "Small Radius" turnouts.

The legs are comprised of two Atlas Code 100 15-inch radius sectional track and an Atlas Code 100 Mark IV Wye turnout at the stub end of the wye.

There are no gaps or kinks in the rails. The PECO turnouts match the 15-inch radii well.

I also used these same PECO turnouts for the upper unloading siding and the loading siding below it.

The Tyco 34-foot operating hoppers are both shoved and pulled through the upper unloading platform with no problems by Plymouth ML-8 and an EMD Model 40 critters.

A consist of four GP-40s negotiate the lower siding that receives the coal being dumped from above pulling a string of 16 of the Tyco operating hoppers.

Hope this helps.

"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
  • 11,439 posts
Posted by dknelson on Thursday, March 25, 2021 5:30 PM

I have a distant and ancient memory -- therefore, not to be trusted -- that Fleischmann had a turnout with an equivalent of 15" radius on the curved part.  It fact it might have been tighter than that, maybe 14.5" -- and probably matched their version of sectional track at the time, maybe 5 decades ago or more.  

It's been ages since I saw any Fleischmann track so this is academic.  The small radius Peco is likely the best bet.  

Now that I think of it Maerklin also had and perhaps still has some very tight radius HO turnouts available, with their proprietary AC third rail system of course, but I wonder if perhaps their two rail DC colleagues at Trix have something comparable?  

Dave Nelson

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Thursday, March 25, 2021 8:27 PM

dknelson
Fleischmann had a turnout with an equivalent of 15" radius on the curved part.  It fact it might have been tighter than that, maybe 14.5" --

I have one of those, and it's power routing, which I didn't know until after it was installed and ballasted.

The location that it's in, it doesn't matter.

Mike.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!