Thanks guys and gals,
I just found the Atlas track planning software and will try the layout both ways, #4 and #6. I probably won't try anything bigger than a GP9 due to the fact that I am a C&O fan of the transition era in which they mostly ran GP9 and 7s along with SW7 and 9s (If I can find a switcher in C&O colors that runs really slow, I might have to buy it!) After I place the turnouts I will see how much room I have left for the runaround and the spurs. I plan on modeling a paper mill with spurs for tank cars, covered hoppers, coal hoppers, and boxcars.
Thanks again, Hansel
Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums
I'll jump on the either/or bandwagon. It will all work fine with #4 turnouts in this type of layout. Just a note of caution though...it could be that you will eventually want something a bit heftier. Say you get a strong hankering to take advantage of a sweet deal on a FM Trainmaster. That is a huge diesel, and #4 turnouts will be very hard to do and still keep cars coupled to it on either end. So I would suggest you consider using one or two #6 turnouts that will allow a future acquisistion (what viable railroad doesn't get a new and improved engine from time to time?) to run on the main spine so-to-speak so that it can shove and extract cuts of cars in most places. Leave the rest as #4/5 so that smaller engines can reach in further.
Just a thought. I do know that the huge majority of us get new engines, and they are rarely smaller ones.
I recommend #6 as much as possible, both for appearance and reliable operation. On a previous layout I used #4s because they made design easier, but my current layout has all #6s and it just looks better, and derailments are very rare.
Aren't prototypes typically even more gradual than our #6s?
Phil, I'm not a rocket scientist; they are my students.
Hansel wrote: I am trying to model a 2' x 8' switching layout, 1950s year, with 40' rolling stock and a GP9 engine. Can I accomplish this with #4 turnouts or should I go with #6 turnouts? Thanks, Hans
I am trying to model a 2' x 8' switching layout, 1950s year, with 40' rolling stock and a GP9 engine. Can I accomplish this with #4 turnouts or should I go with #6 turnouts?
Thanks, Hans
I think you can get away with #4's if will help your design.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
John,
I am planning on buying Atlas code 100 turnouts. I will also have to buy a 15 degree and a 30 degree crossover.
What brand of track are you planning to use? An Atlas #4 is actually a #4 1/2 and is a bit more forgiving and can work well for low speed switching.
For situations where you have an 'S' curve, such as crossovers, you might consider using a #5 (Walthers or Peco) to reduce the S curve issues and still use a minimum amount of space.
Good luck,-John
Johnnny_reb Once a word is spoken it can not be unspoken!
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