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To get this thread back on topic, the angle that a Number 6 switch makes is germane.A Number 6 switch is defined as a spread of 1 unit in 6 units of length.  Thus to construct such a switch, measure six units from the frog point along one rail, measure 6 units along the other rail, and spread them apart one unit.  This measurement should include the width of both rails. In geometry, what we have here is an isosceles triangle, a base of 1 and two equal sides of 6.  Trigonometry is used to figure angles from linear measurements of right triangles.   Cutting an isosceles triangle down the middle creates two right triangles.  Dividing ½ by 6 yields 0.8333; this is the sine of a 4.78 degree angle.  Multiply by 2 to get the full angle of 9.56 degrees.Now in real life, if the distance from the points to the frog was 100 feet, this switch would be a 9.56 degree curvature in railroad lingo.  In 22.5 scale, 100 feet scales down to 53 and a 1/3 inches.  The length of an Aristocraft Nbr. 6 switch is a figure I don't have.The angles for other commonly used switches.Nbr 4: 14.36 degreesNbr 8:   7.17 degreesAnd the frog of an R1 LGB switch?  The entire switch is 300 mm long and curves 30 degrees. The distance from the points to the frog is about 239 mm, and using the diameter of the outer rail for computation yields an answer of 22.58 degrees.   Mighty sharp. Art
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