My new layout design currently has two Walthers #8 curved lefthand turnouts and it appears Walthers Part # 948-8828 has been discontinued.
https://www.walthers.com/code-83-nickel-silver-dcc-friendly-8-curved-turnout-inside-radius-32-quot-81-3cm-outside-radius-36-quot-91-4cm-left-hand
Does anyone know if Walthers has a replacement option for this turnout? I have searched and I have not found any other 36/32 curved turnout options.
Thanks.
Looks like you may have to reconfigure your inside radius. Walthers makes this one is the closest..
https://www.walthers.com/code-83-nickel-silver-dcc-friendly-number-24-36-left-hand
Have you tried looking on Ebay?
Neal
nealknows Looks like you may have to reconfigure your inside radius. Walthers makes this one is the closest.. https://www.walthers.com/code-83-nickel-silver-dcc-friendly-number-24-36-left-hand Have you tried looking on Ebay? Neal
Yes, I already have a search/notification on Ebay.
The 24" radius turnout is just too small. My layout uses 40"+ minimum for mainline (except for these two 36" curved turnouts) and 32" minimum for branch/service lines.
I will probably see if I can reasonably get rid of the 36/32 curved turnouts on the layout design.
Can you adjust your plan to use the Peco #7 curved turnouts?
Onewolf42 nealknows Looks like you may have to reconfigure your inside radius. Walthers makes this one is the closest.. https://www.walthers.com/code-83-nickel-silver-dcc-friendly-number-24-36-left-hand Have you tried looking on Ebay? Neal Yes, I already have a search/notification on Ebay. The 24" radius turnout is just too small. My layout uses 40"+ minimum for mainline (except for these two 36" curved turnouts) and 32" minimum for branch/service lines. I will probably see if I can reasonably get rid of the 36/32 curved turnouts on the layout design.
fast tracks might have you covered. But there's a botique industry of people who make custom turnouts for people.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
I'll second what Digital Griffin said. If you facebook, search for a group called Hand Laid Track & Turnout Exchange. You will find someone who can make those switches/turnouts for you. Might cost a little extra, but they will suit your needs perfectly.
Last year I replaced a troublesome Walthers #8 with a Peco #7 and discovered the inside curve on the Walthers was sharper than the Peco. I don't believe the Walthers #8 actually had a 32" inside radius. Using my radius gauges, it appears the inside radius is between a 28" and 30". The Peco #7 has performed much more reliably in handling 80+ foot passenger cars which is necessary for the location of this turnout.
Is it something specific about Walthers? I think I found the item you might need (unless you want to re-configure the layout): https://www.trainsetsonly.com/walthers-track-code-83-nickel-silver-dcc-friendly-8-turnout-left-hand-ho-25846.html. Cannot speak to the reputation of the vendor.
After drawing different iterations not using the curved turnouts I have decided that I really like the flow provided by the curved turnout so I will keep them and attempt to find them. I have plenty of time before I get to the track laying phase so hopefully I can locate a couple of these turnouts.
The lower level:
The upper level:
kasskaboose Is it something specific about Walthers? I think I found the item you might need (unless you want to re-configure the layout): https://www.trainsetsonly.com/walthers-track-code-83-nickel-silver-dcc-friendly-8-turnout-left-hand-ho-25846.html. Cannot speak to the reputation of the vendor.
Rich
Alton Junction
Rich: Thanks for the information. Useful to have another reputable vendor given what happened to Klein's and possibly Tony's trains.
The PECO code 83 curved turnout ( I think they call it a #7) has an outside radius of 60" and an inside radius of 36", but I have not verified that myself. I know they are very broad.
Since its such a broad outside radius, it could be used near the beginning or end of a curve as sort of a compound spiral/easement to where the whole curve is sharper at the apex. A little tweaking to the track plan.
And because of the wider disparity of the two radii, the Peco is a more compact curve than the huge Walthers/Shinohara #8, which makes for shorter/stouter point rails and moving parts.
- Douglas
I like the suggestion to have custom made curved turnouts that meet your specifications. My experience with mass produced curved turnouts is that the user is forced to modify his track plan to fit the curved turnout.
Doughless The PECO code 83 curved turnout ( I think they call it a #7) has an outside radius of 60" and an inside radius of 36", but I have not verified that myself. I know they are very broad. Since its such a broad outside radius, it could be used near the beginning or end of a curve as sort of a compound spiral/easement to where the whole curve is sharper at the apex. A little tweaking to the track plan. And because of the wider disparity of the two radii, the Peco is a more compact curve than the huge Walthers/Shinohara #8, which makes for shorter/stouter point rails and moving parts.
I didn't realize the Peco #7 turnout had that broad a radius but I did have to tweak it a little when I replaced the Walthers #8 with it. I experimented with difference locations in the turn before I found the optimum place which is at the beginning of the turn. It has definitely improved performance for the full length passenger cars when they have to take the inside radius. I haven't ballasted the new location yet so I might reposition it again a few inches up the straight track leading into the curve coming out of the turnout won't have to be as sharp. I can only move it so far because there is another track inside of the turnout and I have to maintain sufficient spacing.
Perhaps as a last resort, you may want to try adjusting the geometry of an existing curved turnout to achieve broader curves. Following a tip from MRR, I cut some of the small plastic webs that connect the individual ties on a #6 straight turnout which added enough flexibility so I could induce a slight bend in the turnout to fit an otherwise tight situation. Once the modified turnout was secured in place, I used the track gauge to be sure everything was properly aligned.
Jim
Walthers #8 curved to show up on Ebay from time to time. I saw one a few weeks ago, so it's worth checking regularly.
I have a couple #8 on my layout and I also use the Peco #7 since it has a 60"R outer and 36"R inner.
Here is one place I used several Peco #7 Curved
The last turnout in the sequence at the top is a Walthers #8 curved.
The turnout at the bottom of the next image is also a Peco #7 curved.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
About 20 years ago Geren Mortensen (still alive and living on MD's eastern shore) showed me how to convert any Walthers #8 or #10 turnout to a curved turnout to fit any location. I was quite successful at doing this going into the yard at Belfort Gap. There are many video shots of this area on You tube. I wish I could remember exactly how to do this. I do remember cutting every other tie under the turnuout and just bending, but I have not done any trackwork since 2002, and my old age is catching up. Geren is still active in now..... narrow gauge, and probably can be found rather easily. I lost his contact. I think he is still a younster at 58 or 59. Geren also did all of the photo work in my book.....My Life With Model Trains.
Howard Zane About 20 years ago Geren Mortensen (still alive and living on MD's eastern shore) showed me how to convert any Walthers #8 or #10 turnout to a curved turnout to fit any location. I was quite successful at doing this going into the yard at Belfort Gap. There are many video shots of this area on You tube. I wish I could remember exactly how to do this. I do remember cutting every other tie under the turnuout and just bending, but I have not done any trackwork since 2002, and my old age is catching up. Geren is still active in now..... narrow gauge, and probably can be found rather easily. I lost his contact. I think he is still a younster at 58 or 59. Geren also did all of the photo work in my book.....My Life With Model Trains.
I have been doing the same thing with Atlas #6 and #8 Custom Line turnouts for decades now. You can make very gentle curved turnouts this way, in my case 36" radius or larger on the inside route.
Sheldon
Shinohara used to make curvable turnouts, they basicaly looked more like flex track with a frog and stuff and I have had to modify straight turnouts in the past to make a smoth transition to a siding. Take an old turnout you are not using and experiment by removing the webbing here and there and use a ribbon rail guage to get the curve you need.