Thanks to all from every corner of our Railway world, it's all helpful. If this was freelance track work rather than fit-to-a-plan it would be easier. That's why I pondered if the gang at Kalmbach (creators of plans) could assemble a basic, best as we can turnout interchange table. Never gonna be perfect, but in light of supply disruptions, might it be doable? As to the resources and links cited, many thanks, will be doing the bloodhound thing researching the links!
The NMRA's RP turnout page is a good place to start. It's RP12.3 is for HO. Most manufacturer's deviate from this to some extent particularly for #4's. Fast Tracks which makes jigs to NMRA specs for handlaying your own, also has free download templates for their turnouts. Since they are to NMRA specs, laying a commercial turnout on top of one will help you see deviations - which in some cases is significant.
Good luck
Paul
I don't believe that there is exact compatability between any given manufacturers switches or crossings, even though they have a similar number, or description. On the other hand, they are all similar in dimension - but not exact matches.
My current layout, for example uses the following switches: Atlas #8, Atlas #6, Atlas Wye (#3 I believe), Micro Engineering #6, PECO #5, PECO #7 curved, and Shinohara #6½ curved; all Code 83. I also use Micro Engineering #6, and Shinohara #4 in Code 70. None is really interchangable without modification, but can be made to fit.
In today's atmosphere where one may encounter shortages of needed products, modifying substitutes becomes necessary, which is why I so value my rail nippers and Dremmel tool.
While this is not the reference tool you are seeking, it is what I have experienced over the years,
Joe
Gidday, At least it wasn't a case of once bitten twice twice shy!
MORGAN S LONG.....aware of an existing reference or app that supplies turnout substitution information?
Not as far as I know. Some while back I asked the question about the relationship between Peco points and the turnout numbering system on US track plans to be informed there was none.
The best I could find was this link here (though it's mainly about Code 83).
http://bellsandwhistles.us/modelrailroading/Clinic08_handout.pdf
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Walking into the light, hat in hand, as the OP of a contentious prior post and pursuing a more constructive tone-is anyone in the community or at Kalmbach aware of an existing reference or app that supplies turnout substitution information? That way, given supplies from source A may be tight or nonexistant, just order item x from B? So that if this snap switch, slip switch, or three way turnout can't be found just substitute item y or z? As I mentioned before, like a semiconductor swap out guide, once compiled, it could apply to the same situation but for any layout application. Just wondering...