Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

ModelPower/Roco 18"/22" curved turnout questions

2882 views
15 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Alexandria KY
  • 470 posts
ModelPower/Roco 18"/22" curved turnout questions
Posted by Zandoz on Thursday, May 5, 2005 9:42 AM
Does anyone know the angles of curvature of the legs of these turnouts? Are they problematic?

Reality...an interesting concept with no successful applications, that should always be accompanied by a "Do not try this at home" warning.

Hundreds of years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...But the world may be different because I did something so bafflingly crazy that my ruins become a tourist attraction.

"Oooh...ahhhh...that's how this all starts...but then there's running...and screaming..."

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Thursday, May 5, 2005 10:10 AM
Well, since they are curved, they don't have a typical frog number like a #4 or #6, they have two curves, once is 18" and the other is 22". If your locos and cars can negotiate 18" radius, they should be fine. I don't know about the quality. They are probably code 100 track.

--Randy

Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 5, 2005 12:00 PM
I had 18/22 r curved turnouts. The only problem I had was the steps on some of my longest locomotive would hit the switch machine.
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Ottawa, Canada
  • 234 posts
Posted by jkeaton on Thursday, May 5, 2005 12:58 PM
Thanks, guys, I didn't know that anybody made curved turnouts as tight as 18" and 22" radii. You may have solved my port scene dilemma.

Jim
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Alexandria KY
  • 470 posts
Posted by Zandoz on Thursday, May 5, 2005 2:10 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by jkeaton

Thanks, guys, I didn't know that anybody made curved turnouts as tight as 18" and 22" radii. You may have solved my port scene dilemma.

Jim


I don't know how much of a solution they'll be. I do not think they are available any more. I picked up 3 lefts and a right about 10 years ago, on clearance....I think I paid $2.50 each. A check of the current Walthers catalog found no sign of ModelPower or Roco track.

Reality...an interesting concept with no successful applications, that should always be accompanied by a "Do not try this at home" warning.

Hundreds of years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...But the world may be different because I did something so bafflingly crazy that my ruins become a tourist attraction.

"Oooh...ahhhh...that's how this all starts...but then there's running...and screaming..."

  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Virginia
  • 356 posts
Posted by knewsom on Thursday, May 5, 2005 2:35 PM
You can get the Shinohara code 100 #6 curved turnout. This has an inside of 18" radius and I think an outside of 24" radius. These are still being produced although they are hard to find right now.
Thanks, Kevin
  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: Maine
  • 392 posts
Posted by roadrat on Thursday, May 5, 2005 3:35 PM
Peco makes curved turnouts also


bill
No good deed goes unpunished.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 5, 2005 3:43 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by jkeaton

Thanks, guys, I didn't know that anybody made curved turnouts as tight as 18" and 22" radii. You may have solved my port scene dilemma.Jim

Jim, if you can't find them, e-mail me.
Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,217 posts
Posted by tstage on Thursday, May 5, 2005 3:50 PM
Walthers/Shinohara also makes a curved layout (as described by knewsom) in Code 83.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Ottawa, Canada
  • 234 posts
Posted by jkeaton on Monday, May 9, 2005 12:51 PM
Knewsom, I knew Shinohara made curved turnouts, but didn't know they came in such tight radii.

Gsetter, I may be getting back to you soon.

And, on eBay recently I saw a Model Power three-way switch on offer, that appeared to have very tight radii legs as well. Might they be 18" or 22"? Anybody ever seen one of these beasts in real life? The seller is selling her dad's estate or some such, and doesn't know.

Jim
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Virginia
  • 356 posts
Posted by knewsom on Monday, May 9, 2005 10:25 PM
Jim,

The Shinhara curved turnout is listed as a #6 in the Walthers book. It corresponds to the measurements for the code 83 version. They also have a #8 which has larger radii.

Peco also has a medium double curved turnout. The inside radius is 17 1/4" and the outside is 19 7/8" according to Loy's Toys. I have problems with my BLI Class A going through the inside curve so I had to switch to the Shinohara.

Thanks,
Kevin
Thanks, Kevin
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Alexandria KY
  • 470 posts
Posted by Zandoz on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 12:12 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by jkeaton

Knewsom, I knew Shinohara made curved turnouts, but didn't know they came in such tight radii.

Gsetter, I may be getting back to you soon.

And, on eBay recently I saw a Model Power three-way switch on offer, that appeared to have very tight radii legs as well. Might they be 18" or 22"? Anybody ever seen one of these beasts in real life? The seller is selling her dad's estate or some such, and doesn't know.

Jim


For what ever it's worth, XtrkCad indicates it's a #4 switch in it's description of the MP three-way

Reality...an interesting concept with no successful applications, that should always be accompanied by a "Do not try this at home" warning.

Hundreds of years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...But the world may be different because I did something so bafflingly crazy that my ruins become a tourist attraction.

"Oooh...ahhhh...that's how this all starts...but then there's running...and screaming..."

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,418 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 2:45 PM
I've got a couple of the Peco 18/22's, and they seem to work just fine. Like jkeaton said, they solve some track planning problems very nicely.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    August 2001
  • From: NYS
  • 107 posts
Posted by MichaelWD on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 5:32 PM
Hello I was having trouble with my 12 wheel diesel engines on the Model Power turnotus. I went out and bought 2 of the Pecos to replace them, come to find out they are the same curvature as the M/P. So now I have to keep the big engines on the outside tracks. These are in a hidden staging yard, so I will have to tear up the town above it to replace them.
Mike Dickinson
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Ottawa, Canada
  • 234 posts
Posted by jkeaton on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 9:07 AM
Thanks for all the additional information! I've seen the Peco's for sale, but was told (obviously erroneously) that the inner track's radius was about 24" and the outer 27".

Jim
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Virginia
  • 356 posts
Posted by knewsom on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 1:07 PM
Jim, There is another version of the Peco double curved turnouts where both radii are larger. this may be the one that you were told about. I have some of these also, but I thought that the radii were more on the 27" and 30" side.

Thanks, Kevin

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!