turnouts

[Anonymous]

what is the largest(longest) turnout that i can buy? does #6 = a 22" radius curve? i am interested in a minimum 24" curve in a turnout, is this possible? how many of you make your own? where do you purchase rail stock?

thanks

[Anonymous]

The kinds of turnouts that correspond to curve radii aren't prototypical and are usually associated with train sets and beginner layouts; the diverging leg of a turnout technically HAS no radius, because it is straight. The curved ones are intended as a drop-in for a train-set loop curve track section.

The big ones, like #6 and #8, as your post mentions, should be of the straight-leg variety, so that doesn't matter. You lay it, and then make a short transition easement into your curve.

I believe I have seen #8's in the hobby shop, but then, again, I'm handlaying and haven't paid a lot of attention. You get the ties, spikes, and rail at the hobby shop, too. (The good ones, not the we-carry-RC-cars-and-model-planes-too kind.)

[Jetrock]

The bit about turnouts with curves isn't necessarily true--interurban and trolley lines used single-point turnouts with curved diverging tracks. The Peco "Setrack" brand of turnout is an adequate compromise, but Richard Orr single-point trolley turnouts are designed for a 6" radius curve!

#8's are out there, but #6 turnouts are plenty wide enough for the biggest model railroad engines.

[Big_Boy_4005]

The #8 is the longest standard turnout available. Remember that numbered turnouts diverge straight. The formula is: number of units distance down the straight leg for 1 unit of divergance. So, for a #6 turnout, 6" down the straight leg, the diverging leg is 1" away. The Atlas snap switch is actually an 18" radius curve, and the #4 is not as sharp.

[IRONROOSTER]

#10 in Walthers Shinora code 83 is the largest complete turnout I know of. BK Enterprises goes up to #16; you have to spike it to the ties, but can be had assembled. I think Peco makes turnouts with a curve in them. NMRA's RP on curvature for different equipment includes turnout size - http://www.nmra.org/standards/rp-11.html While it doesn't cover every radius, it shows several.
Enjoy
Paul