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Trimming Atlas Turnouts?

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  • Member since
    October 2010
  • From: Chesterfield, MI
  • 167 posts
Posted by Doug from Michigan on Sunday, February 26, 2012 2:20 PM

Thanks mobilman.  Good idea.  I had already decided to not take more than a couple ties worth of length off the point end, afraid of sacrificing the integrity of the rails at the points.  I'll be taking more length off past the frog on both legs.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Southeast Texas
  • 5,449 posts
Posted by mobilman44 on Sunday, February 26, 2012 9:26 AM

Hi,

This certainly can be done, but the trick is to not cut too much off.  I suggest using some AC cement to the remaining rail/tie connection of the remaining track ends.

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central 

  • Member since
    October 2010
  • From: Chesterfield, MI
  • 167 posts
Posted by Doug from Michigan on Sunday, February 26, 2012 8:50 AM

steinjr

 This thread is likely related to this other thread - Doug was trying to figure out how to replicate with Atlas #4 or Atlas #6 turnouts what I had done in a plan using Peco code 70 Medium Turnouts and a Peco code curved turnout.

 Smile,
 Stein

Yep, you got it .  I think I'll be o.k. with a little trimming on the number 4's.  I was looking at the Pecos last night and I just can't bust the budget like that.  And, no, the #6's aren't in the ladder.  I was just using them to get off and on the main.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Sorumsand, Norway
  • 3,417 posts
Posted by steinjr on Sunday, February 26, 2012 1:08 AM

 This thread is likely related to this other thread - Doug was trying to figure out how to replicate with Atlas #4 or Atlas #6 turnouts what I had done in a plan using Peco code 70 Medium Turnouts and a Peco code curved turnout.

 Smile,
 Stein

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: huizen, 15 miles from Amsterdam
  • 1,484 posts
Posted by Paulus Jas on Sunday, February 26, 2012 12:42 AM

hi,

spacing between parallel tracks will be come critical soon.

It should be rather easy to try it out for your equipment.

BTW #4's and #6"s in the very same ladder?

Paul

  • Member since
    November 2002
  • From: US
  • 2,455 posts
Posted by wp8thsub on Thursday, February 23, 2012 2:27 PM

Atlas turnouts can pretty much be trimmed at will to fit your space.  Provided you don't introduce any misalignment or excessive S-curves, or damage the turnouts so they no longer hold together, you should be OK.

Rob Spangler

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,481 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Thursday, February 23, 2012 1:57 PM

Also consider using one or more curved turnouts.  These can allow you to start the yard ladder earlier, on an approaching curve rather than waiting until you can get to a straight section.  There was an MR article about this a few months back.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    September 2007
  • 90 posts
Posted by RetGM on Thursday, February 23, 2012 1:16 PM

Yeah, I guess there is, but I don't know what it will be for your application(s).  Without an additional curve placed after the diverging route, your space between tracks in the yard will be severely affected.  I would suggest laying out your yard with Atlas RTS (Reg) free software to determine in you need to save on space by shortening the thru tracks.  Using Atlas Custom #4 turnouts will conserve about as much linear space as trying to modify the #6's.  By the way,  I use a 3 or 6" straight section off the main before beginning the parallel yard tracks, to avoid the terrible,terrible "Ess Curves"  everyone warns us about.  Best of luck, and Happy Modelling!!  JWH

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Thursday, February 23, 2012 1:14 PM

Doug from Michigan

Trying to layout a yard throat in HO with Atlas Custom Line #4's & 6's.  I've seen instances where off-the-shelf turnouts were trimmed in length to conserve space.  When placing turnouts end to end (straight to straight), is there a distance where the points of one turnout can get too close to the frog of a preceeding turnout, from trimming off too much? 

LION has done this without any problems. I cannot recall how close to the frog I got, but none of my frogs tried to jump away, so I guess I was ok.

Maybe I was an inch from the frog, I also trimmed to within an inch of the points.

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
    October 2010
  • From: Chesterfield, MI
  • 167 posts
Trimming Atlas Turnouts?
Posted by Doug from Michigan on Thursday, February 23, 2012 12:46 PM

Trying to layout a yard throat in HO with Atlas Custom Line #4's & 6's.  I've seen instances where off-the-shelf turnouts were trimmed in length to conserve space.  When placing turnouts end to end (straight to straight), is there a distance where the points of one turnout can get too close to the frog of a preceeding turnout, from trimming off too much? 

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