I feel dumb, but I was questioned on EBAY as to whether the older brass turnouts I was selling were #4 or snap switches. I guess I thought they were the same thing. I would like to understand the difference?
Welcome any info, Gary
A Snap Switch comes with the motor, either manual or electrical, built onto the turnout and is a different length than a Custom Line turnout. A Custom Line has no motor.
Here's a link to Atlas Snap Switches:
https://secure.atlasrr.com/mod1/items.asp?Cc=H44&iTpStatus=0&Tp=&Bc=
and here's their Custom Line switches:
https://secure.atlasrr.com/mod1/items.asp?Cc=H45&iTpStatus=0&Tp=&Bc=
OK for ATLAS. Does this hold true for Life-Like also? Still wondering the radius on a no. 4.
Gary
Frog size, #4, #6, #8, etc., does not designate the radius, and not all brands are going to have the same length or degree of curvature of the diverging route.
The other difference is in the diverging route.
On a snap switch the diverging route forms an 18 inch radius curve with the help of the 1/3-18" radius track section included with the turnout.
The numbered turnout diverges at the angle spec'd for a given turnout number.
OK Thanks. I guess the question I received on whether these life likes were snap or #4 is unknown. They are not labeled either way, do not have motors, but brackets to mount them.
Snap switches are made by Atlas.
A snap switch is made so the diverging track has a constant radius through the turnout including beyond the frog. Until recently that was 18", but Atlas now has some nickel silver one in 22" as well. All the older brass will be 18". The switch is a drop in replacement for an Atlas 18" curve piece or for an Atlas 9" straight piece. You can lay an 18" curve on top and it will line up with the curved leg.
#4 switches have curves in the part of the turnout that is thrown, but both legs are straight beyond the frog. An Atlas #4 is actually a 4 1/2. It is not a drop in replacement for any Atlas curve.
Enjoy
Paul
Look at the BOTTOM of the switch. For Atlas products the switch size is stamped into the bottom of the ties. It will tell you if it is a SNAP SWITCH or an #4 or #6. On the Layout the difference is seen here.
The crossings on the downtown tracks (closer to us) are made with #4 switches; the crossing on the uptown tracks (with the train on them) are made with Snap tracks.
LIONS have to use what tracks they have, since they cannot run off to a store whenever they fell like it. Of course LIONS have also been known to leave tracks in the snow.--- this time of year.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
If they are Atlas they are marked as Atlas actually embosses the track section on the back. Look for the words "snap switch" or "custom line" on the back of the turnout.. As I recall it is "printed" near the pivot joints of the point rails. Unfortunately I do not have a picture, nor can I get one quickly from my current location.
One cannot use the presence or abscence of a turnout motor as an indicator because those can be removed or added at will.
IRONROOSTER The switch is a drop in replacement for an Atlas 18" curve piece or for an Atlas 9" straight piece. You can lay an 18" curve on top and it will line up with the curved leg.
The switch is a drop in replacement for an Atlas 18" curve piece or for an Atlas 9" straight piece. You can lay an 18" curve on top and it will line up with the curved leg.
That's not strictly true. A snap-switch will directly replace a 9-inch straight section, but the curved portion is only about 6 inches long. They come with a 3-inch curved section of track to make up for this. However, on the point end prior to the points and the start of the curve, there is about a 1 1/2 inch straight section, so the snap-switch isn't exactly a drop-in for an 18-inch radius curve.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MisterBeasley IRONROOSTER: The switch is a drop in replacement for an Atlas 18" curve piece or for an Atlas 9" straight piece. You can lay an 18" curve on top and it will line up with the curved leg. That's not strictly true. A snap-switch will directly replace a 9-inch straight section, but the curved portion is only about 6 inches long. They come with a 3-inch curved section of track to make up for this. However, on the point end prior to the points and the start of the curve, there is about a 1 1/2 inch straight section, so the snap-switch isn't exactly a drop-in for an 18-inch radius curve.
IRONROOSTER: The switch is a drop in replacement for an Atlas 18" curve piece or for an Atlas 9" straight piece. You can lay an 18" curve on top and it will line up with the curved leg.
That's right. On an oval you had to add a 1-1/2" straight section to the other side to compensate for the difference, IIRC.