maxman I guess we'll just have to drag the answer out of you
I guess we'll just have to drag the answer out of you
Well, okay, since you asked nicely! Hadn't done the math when I made the earlier post. I used my calipers to measure distances between rail and switch stand (SS) on enlarged Google Map images. Disclaimer, not real sharp images and occasionally shadows which made some guesswork on my endpoints.
Typical calculated measurements (fifteen turnouts):
6.21 scale feet from inside nearest rail to start of SS (0.86 inches)
8.57 scale feet from track center to start of SS (1.18 inches)
10.9 scale feet from inside of the far rail to start of SS (1.51 inches)
I set up a test turnout using 9 scale feet (track center to start of the GT, a CI-218). First, I reduced the Atlas throwbar by 1 inch. I drilled out the small hole on the shorter GT arm with a 1/16" bit and used piano wire (1.2 mm) to connect the throw bar and GT. It was necessary to cut a small trench between the GT and throwbar to accommodate the piano wire. The end result looks good to me!
BTW, I used a combo Tom and Mark installation method. My table top has 1 inch extruded foam over plywood. I used ½ a cork strip, angle side against road bed by the turnout. Two 1-inch long ring shank nails hold the GT in place and two additional nails were used as stops for the ground throw lever. Very solid, without any adhesive! I will run a test to see if adhesive is needed on the ½ piece of cork. Not using adhesive enables relatively easy removal of GT if replacement is needed (Hat tip to Mark Pruit).
I've read conflicting numbers... Attaching a CI ground throw to the last connection on an Atlas Custom line III throwbar appears to result in an excessively long distance from the track centerline. I measured 2-1/4 inches or 16.3 scale feet. Several threads on MR have stated 6 to 8 ft from center line is the recommended distance.