Curved turnouts

[Anonymous]

Does anyone manufacture curved turnouts (in which both the main line and the turnout are curved, as opposed to straight main line) that's compatible with standard Atlas HO track? The only thing I could find is a discontinued Roco track and a Tillig part that's not compatible.
Thanks.

[BR60103]

Peco make curved turnouts with fairky generous radii, both left and right hand.
They should be available from your dealer, or orderable from him.
(I can give you radii, if you need them. By "compatible", did you mean 18" radius? They're larger than that. They do match Atlas in height.
--David

[Anonymous]

I believe the Peco turnouts are available in No. 8 and No. 6. I have a number 8 on my layout and the only locomotive that has trouble with it is the Athern Genesis SD75. I can't figure it out, but all three of them derail at this turnout on both legs of it. I have more than 50 locomotives of different makes and models, steam and diesel that go through the turnout with no problem. I've checked the wheel guage and alignment. Now I just reroute these locos so they avoid this track.

Ken, D&J Railroad, Stafford, VA

[BR60103]

Ken: Is your #8 the same standards as the other turnouts? Peco has made different standards through the years, usually calling the coarsest one "Universal", because it takes all the toy wheels. It might be coarse enough that your wheels are running down the wrong side of the frog.
Do the points make it all the way to the stock rails? There are little tabs under the points for electrical pickup that can get in the way if they're bent up too high.
--David

[Anonymous]

Depending on what Atlas track you are using the new Central Valley curved turnout kits might be an answer. They are code 83 or code 70 and can be built in various radii.

Walthers also has curved turnouts in code 83 of various radii.

Hope this helps some.

Doug

[BNSFNUT]

Walthers sell code 83 curved turnouts in several radius combinations.
Jerry

[Anonymous]

I don't know about same standards, but the HO track guage shows the rail heads are correct and the points set against the rails at the correct height. The derailments occur just past the frog away from the points. No other rolling stock or locos have any problem except for the SD75s.

I don't know how to tell what standard this turnout is. Most likely the model number is on the bottom side.

Ken, D&J Railroad, Stafford, VA

[dknelson]

Peco makes two sizes (at least) of curved turnouts in Code 100 HO. The larger of the two has a 60" radius for the large curve -- that is very generous and few locomotives should have any problems with it. Even the "samller" curved Peco turnout is pretty good for curves.
Cassadio used to make a curved turnout -- I do not know if they are still around.
Dave Nelson

[BR60103]

The thing to check is the flangeway gap in the frog and the check rails. If it is noticeably wider than your other switches, you may have a problem, where the wheels pull over and ride over the point of the frog. Run a spare truck through it to see.
Other thought: check that the turnout is flat and doesn't have a bend halfway down.
--David

[Anonymous]

I'll check that when I go home for lunch today.

Ken, D&J Railroad, Stafford, VA

[Anonymous]

Just a reminder that Shinohara does make code 100 turnouts that are curved. I use both Peco and Shinohara and have had no problems. I like the Peco's a little better because of the positive "lock" when you throw the switch. Shinohara has a broader range and are very user friendly. they do exatly what I need!

Just as a building note - curved turnouts really save you space. So if you don't have a lot of room look at using the curved turnouts.

[Anonymous]

Peco had two types of curved turnouts;
A small one with about 15 in. on the main line and the other one much smaller abd I don't think they make it any more.
The other one, part No. ST244 & 245 are ideal with 20in. outside an 18in. inside so you shouldn't have any problem.
My problem was that Gunderson deep well and Athearn,s 89ft. AP flats could not make the turn. With the larger types I have no more problem
Bye

[Anonymous]

Dave,
I have been trying to get the locomotives to repeat the derailment at the turnout, but now they just glide right on through without a hint of any problem. I have tried running them single and multi-unit at varying speeds as well, but no derailment.

Maybe it was just the mention of the problem that made it start acting right.

Ken, D&J Railroad, Stafford, VA