HO Crossover on a Curve Question

[modelmaker51]

If you're adventurous, you can cut the webbing between the ties, between the heel of the point rails and the frog and bend the turnout to fit. Start with turnouts that are close. I did this with almost all of my Atlas, Peco and Shinohara turnouts for much more natural, handlaid track flow and look. You can't turn a #6 into a #4, but you can turn that #6 into a #5.5 or a #6.5 to fit a specific situation. You may have to do a bit of fine tuning, like trimming a point rail, etc.

[doctorwayne]

I used a Shinohara number 8 (marked on the bottom of the ties as 36"/32" radii) to effect a crossover on a curve.  Its counterpart on the other track was a straight Atlas #6, as the curve ended  before the crossover  joined the second track.  I don't know what the radii of the tracks were, but there was no "S" bend or jog in the crossover track.  The whole crossover was removed when I lengthened the passing siding, but it posed no problems during the time that it was in use.

Wayne 

[stokesda]

You might also consider the Central Valley turnout kits. They can be curved to any radius you need (within reason, of course)

http://www.cvmw.com/cvtswitch/index.htm

They also talk about curved single crossovers in the instructions for their turnout kits. For example:

http://www.cvmw.com/acrobat/8%20crossover%20right.pdf

[ss122]

Thanks for the search idea. The comment that struck me was, "To recheck my curved turnout sizes (Walthers/Shinohara Code 83), I built a homemade beam compass, laid-out arcs and overlaid the turnouts. The results are: • #6/#6.5: 24/18 (frog# depends on whether you believe the box label or the imprint on the turnout!) • #7: 28/22 • #7.5: 32/26 • #8: 36/30"

If you figure 2-21/2" track spacing in HO, there are no commercially available turnouts that have a 2-21/2" difference in the radii of the two routes. That being said, I'll probably go with the Walthers  #7.5. Trains going from the inner to outer track will have some variation in curvature, but I don't think it will be a problem. Thanks again all. Ken

 

[Texas Zepher]

I plan to have a double track mainline, with approx 28-32" radius curve ... I need a crossover on this curve. Which manufacturer's curved turnouts should I consider to most closely match these radii?

I thought the old Shinohara-now-Walthers had curved turnouts of exactly these dimensions.  28" inside radius and 32" outside radius. I would think that two of those would work fine.

I understand how frogs are numbered, but I don't understand how this translates into radius.

Curved turnouts are usually just classified by the difference of radius.  18/22, 20/24, 28/32, 32/36 etc. because that is a more critical number than how quickly they are departing from one another.   Some vendors (a vendor) I've noticed throw a number #4, #6, and #8 that really have nothing to do with the departure "angle", but simply indicate size of the turnout.

[loathar]

I know the Walthers/Shinoharas are NOT the radius that they advertise. They are considerably tighter. Someone here posted what they actually are if you do a search. I would recommend you lay your turnouts first and then work your curves out from that point. Might make things smoother.

[Bill54]

Is this what you are looking for?

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/HO-curved-RH-switch-8-Micro-Engineering-rail-32-rad_W0QQitemZ370011531113QQihZ024QQcategoryZ19142QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem

Bill

[ss122]

Thanks guys. I guess I didn't make something clear. I'm talking about a single, trailing point crossover, not a double crossover, no diamond needed. Just two curved turnouts needed, not four. Ken

[SpaceMouse]

Here are what the larger Fleshmann turnouts look like on concentric 32" and 28" circles. Note that the turnout does not fit the 28" circle. The turnout radius is tighter than 28".

 

[tstage]

Ken,

Is it possible to introduce a small "straight" section of track into your curve; one that would allow you to install a 30-, 45-, 60-, or 90-degree crossing in that spot?  That would be the simplist fix.  Otherwise, you will have to handlay the crossing yourself.

My club layout has a single line crossing over a triple line and it worked out quite well in that situation.  The curves were probably 36" radius.

Tom

[ss122]

Chip, Thanks for the response. I don't think it will be an "s" curve, just a continuous curve that has a slight change in radius as the train goes through the crossover. Ken

[SpaceMouse]

I'm thinking that commercial turnouts are going to give you a nasty "S" curve. I haven't actually tried it though.

You may have to hand lay it to get a smooth transition.

[ss122]

I'm planning a two Layout Design Element layout, consisting of a yard on one LDE, and a small town freight yard on the other. They are separated by a corner where I plan to have a double track mainline, with approx 28-32" radius curve with code 83 flextrack. Operationally, I need a crossover on this curve. Which manufacturer's curved turnouts should I consider to most closely match these radii? I understand how frogs are numbered, but I don't understand how this translates into radius. I have no problem taking a cutoff wheel to the turnouts if needed. DCC will probably be in use. Any suggestions welcome. TIA, Ken