turnout changing radiis

[MichaelWD]

I have some turnouts that I would like to replace. They are 18/22" radius. I got a pair of Pecos large radius turnouts. I believe they are 30/60" radius. Can I replace these wothout making a derailing nightmare? This is in HO scale. I am changing because my 6 axle locos will not run through these turnouts.
TIA
Mike Dickinson

[cacole]

Changing from a small to a large radius should certainly cause no derailment problems, but going from large to small could.

[MisterBeasley]

You are going to need to re-lay track for a foot or so (at least) all around the turnouts to keep the curves smooth. You need to be careful to avoid kinks. Compared to the 18/22, that 30/60 is going to seem like it's almost a straight piece of track.

[pcarrell]

Might help to go from a turnout with a curve through the frog to one that is straight through the frog, or is that vise-versa? That way you can keep the curvature closer to what you already had.

I'm going to assume that you checked that your wheels were guaged properly?