Railroad Switches

[Anonymous]

Where does the railroads use the various switche, like #4, 6, 8 and etc.?

Thank you. Bruno

[johncolley]

Railroads use larger numbers than most modellers. I do to for their realism. Railroads use 11's and 16's depending on the speed and use. Higher speeds call for higher numbers. For slow speeds such as yards and industrial spurs they allow down to #8. I prefer big curves and turnouts as space allows, using Walthers #10's for passenger sidings, all mainline crossovers, A/D tracks, and sidings, #8 for yards and the occasional #6's for industrial work or service tracks such as oil and sand for engine service. On rare occasions on an industrial site I might use a #4 to have 2 tracks just for the contrast. The reason: full length passenger and modern freight equipment look so much better and less toylike on graceful curves and switches.

[dehusman]

Real railroads use small switches like #10's in yards and industries. Main line sidings and crossovers are #14 or #15. High speed switches are #20 or #20 equilateral (wye) switches.

Dave H.