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Walthers switches

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  • Member since
    December 2009
  • 104 posts
Walthers switches
Posted by 1arfarf3 on Monday, December 5, 2022 8:32 PM

Their new HO #6 switches come with an extra long diverging route. What is the track center line when using 2 for a crossover? Is it 2 1/2", 3 ", 4", etc??? Other brands are 2" centers. 

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • 62 posts
Posted by santafejeff on Monday, December 5, 2022 9:43 PM

The Walthers or shinohara turnouts gives about a 2 1/2" center. Overlap the diverging routes til you get a 2" center and temove what you dont need. 

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    June 2007
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Posted by riogrande5761 on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 12:39 PM

I haven't bought any of the new Walthers turnout but I would imagine they would need to be trimmed to fit in some configurations.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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    February 2008
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Posted by AEP528 on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 7:55 AM

It's really frustrating they don't provide that information, although they do have printable templates. I have two of the new Code 83 #4 turnouts for industries, one each right and left so I can't connect them together, but laying them down and measuring shows the spacing is about 2 7/8 inches. 

  • Member since
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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 7:58 AM

I would prefer them to be made extra-long so I can trim them to fit each situation.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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  • From: Maryland
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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 10:32 AM

SeeYou190

I would prefer them to be made extra-long so I can trim them to fit each situation.

-Kevin

 

To each their own, but I'm not sure I understand this logic?

Given the possible scenarios, it seems one would be trimming them more times than not.

Building a crossover with 2" or similar centers - you will be trimming.

Curving the diverging route to make a realtive smooth curve thru the whole diverging route - you will be trimming.

Building a compound yard ladder - you will be trimming at least half of them.

Building a passing siding on a straight mainline - you will be trimming.

I like the Atlas/PECO concept better, the diverging routes make perfect 2" center crossovers.

The only down side to that system is the occasional need for a short filler, like crossovers track centers above 2". But I solder all my uninsulated rail joints, so those small filler sare not really a problem.

Still very happy with the Atlas turnout/track system from both a wiring and track layout standpoint.

Sheldon

Seems rare that a turnout would continue on a a great distance at the turnout angle?

    

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 12:39 PM

ATLANTIC CENTRAL
Given the possible scenarios, it seems one would be trimming them more times than not.

Probably, but trimming is easier than making short track pieces.

I have very few crossovers, I have not modelled a double track mainline since 1991.

My yard tracks are always spaced extra wide.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,897 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 7:18 PM

SeeYou190

 

 
ATLANTIC CENTRAL
Given the possible scenarios, it seems one would be trimming them more times than not.

 

Probably, but trimming is easier than making short track pieces.

I have very few crossovers, I have not modelled a double track mainline since 1991.

My yard tracks are always spaced extra wide.

-Kevin

 

I understand, every layout concept has different requirements.

I have lots of double track, and thereby lots of crossovers to build. Nearly all my yards and double track is on 2" centers unless there is a specific reason for it to be different.

So the Atlas system is very good for me.

When Atlas came out with the code 83 products, that was the end of my hand layed track days except when I need special turnouts.

Sheldon

 

    

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