MR How to Build Realistic Layouts 2006 question - sample yard ladder angle, pg 72 - inaugural issue

[camaro]

I think that what Andy was referring to was that you can take a number 6 turnout and shorten the length so that the total overall length of the turnout is smaller, but the angle of the diverging portion is still a number 6.  In essence the parallel tracks are closer together but the turnout is still a number 6.

 

Larry

[abbieleibowitz]

I can't comment on the specific ladder shown in the article - because I didn't understand it either, but I did use it as a basis for my presently under construction yard. I think I got close to the layout by cutting the "before the points" straight portion of the Atlas #6 code 83 turnouts by the 6 ties. This allowed me to get the turnouts closer together and accomplish shortening the ladder enough to get it to fit.

Good luck.

Abbie

[dmitzel]

Bump...

Don, thanks for the math - that subject was never my strong suit in school. I did much better in English and the social sciences, much to my father's consternation (with his MS in Mathematics ).

15.5 degrees does sound steep, and this is a standard ladder to boot. Andy Sperandeo had drawn this yard plan with No. 6 and No. 5 turnouts fanning into the ladder, so I'm not sure how he managed such a compact arrangement (perhaps Andy will read this and can comment).

I may just have to go back to the drawing board to see what else can fit into this space.

D.M. Mitzel, Oxford, Mich. USA

[DigitalGriffin]

invserse tangent (1/3.16) = 15.5 degrees

I'm not entirely sure as I can't see the actual yard ladder.  But it sounds like the beginning of a compound yard ladder as 15.5 degrees is pretty steep.

A #8 is 7.12 degrees.  (Put two of these together and get 14.25 degrees)

A #7 is 8.13 degrees   (A #7 + #8 = 15.25 degrees)

A #6 is 9.5 degrees

A #5 is 11.3 degrees

A #4.5 is 12.5 degrees

A #4 is 14 degrees

 

[dmitzel]

Well, here's hoping Andy Sperandeo is reading this forum...

Anyway, those of you that have the inaugural issue of How to Build Realistic Layouts, the one with Joe Fugates' Siskiyou Line SP Kodachrome tunnel motor on the cover, may be able to help me out. On pages 70-75 Andy Sperandeo has an article on yard details, along with a sample yard plan to fit into an 8'x20' space. I'm working my way around the layout room (12'x27') and have the area cleared away from the twenty-foot wall - perfect for this plan. I've been religiously studying this issue, the later Freight Yards issue, as well as Andy's Kalmbach Freight Yards book and the LDSIG special freight yards LDJ publication. After much thought Andy's design looks to be a winner for my space.

However, I've run into a problem with the turnout geometry on the straight ladder located on the left side (west end) of the plan. Andy describes it as a "Number 5 ladder on 1:3.6 angle" - I'm confused here. I'm familiar enough with curving the diverging yard track away from the frog to get a more-compact ladder in place while using broader turnouts. However, I've only seen the angles presented like "Straight ladder, no. 6 turnouts on no. 5 (11.5 deg.) angle" or something similar to that.

FWIW I'm using Atlas code 83 #505-506 no. 6 turnouts so far. I'm not sure if I need to go down to Atlas no. 4's (4.5 frog) in order to build this plan to fit my space, or if the plan is generous enough to continue using the no. 6's. I'd prefer the latter as I have a number of six-axle diesel road locomotives and some 60' cars that may take issue with small numbered switches.

Any help in translating the "1:3.6" math into degrees or frog numbers is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

D.M. Mitzel, Oxford, Mich. USA