The Peco long (actually large) radius turnout is pretty close to a #7. I don't use any smaller than that so can't comment.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Lastspikemike No, but others have suggested an Atlas #4 is really closer to a 4.5 so maybe consider using Peco #5 to replace them. That's what I use. We have only two Atlas #4 Customline Code 83 left and we replace ours with Peco #5. I think you'll prefer those in the long run.
No, but others have suggested an Atlas #4 is really closer to a 4.5 so maybe consider using Peco #5 to replace them. That's what I use. We have only two Atlas #4 Customline Code 83 left and we replace ours with Peco #5. I think you'll prefer those in the long run.
What you are thinking of are the turnouts/switches with the plastic frogs. Those are designed to maintain a R18 curve. The customline switches with metal frogs are true #4s.
Last I checked PECO doesn't actually list their turnouts by #'s. (Did they update their line?) It's Short/Medium/Long. You kind of have to be careful. It's kind of roughish that a peco short switch = #4. But it isn't exact. I found their curved turnout has an inner radius of 17" which caused derailments of my steam.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
Hi Dave,
I'm no "track expert", but I just scrapped my layout of almost 20 years (which had Atlas turnouts) to start a new one. My new layout I've started uses Peco code 83 track and turnouts (Electro-Frog) version. It's like a dream, no more stalls or de-railing. Currently, Peco only makes one version of the #4 and #7 turnouts for some reason.
I'm sure someone else in the forum could explain, but I found that if a small radius turnout is used with track connected that doesn't have tight radius, even many 6-axial locos will still pass without derailing. I'm thinking my reply doesn't address your question.
FYI - I used the software "AnyRail" to plan my new layout, and comes with all the Peco track products in it's library. It's very easy to use and will graphiclly show you if any point in out plan goes under a specified radius.
Good luck on your project. Bruce
I can't seem to understand the question, so I'll give my thoughts on the subject in hopes that it helps somehow.
Peco has two different types of turnouts. Turnouts that have the diverging rails curve after the frog, and diverging rails that are straight after the frog.
The curved routes are labeled small, medium, and large RADIUS; denoting that they are curved. While a person can certainly calculate what the frog is, its kind of useless information because once the track keeps curving after the frog, the angle at which the diverging tracks line up with any connecting track is different than the angle of the frog you just calculated...follow?
In these turnouts, the compactness or broadness of the radius is what matters, because those kinds of turnouts are used for certain applications..hence the terms small, medium, and large RADIUS.
The turnouts with the straight "post-frog" diverging tracks maintain the same angle as the frog all the way to the next piece of track, and will meet the next piece of (parallel tangent) track at the same angle they left the frog...because the diverging tracks are straight.
These tracks are labeled by the frog#, because the frog angle is the important part of the track design info.
So intermingling RADIUS turnout terminology with FROG# turnout terminology fails to see the fundamental difference in the turnouts.
If you want to replace an Atlas #4 turnout with PECO, you want to talk about what FROG# turnout would be the best replacement, and pretty much discard the RADIUS terminology and turnouts. Putting curved "post-frog" diverging tracks into a plan that calls for straight "post-frog" diverging tracks will cause a lot of misaligned track.
- Douglas
I dont think Peco has a #4, but a "small " is roughly equivalent?
bagal I dont think Peco has a #4, but a "small " is roughly equivalent?
If you put a "small" RADIUS turnout where the diverging tracks keep curving after the frog, those track ends are likely not going to join the next piece of track at the same angle that a #4 FROG turnout does.
Are you asking, "is the angle at which the tips if the "small" curved diverging tracks meet the next piece of track at (about) the same angle as the tips of the straight diverging tracks of the #4?"
PECO has their templates online, free. You should be able to print off all of their turnouts to see how each compares to the other.
Dave KI am replacing all of my Atlas turnouts with Peco medium and long radius turnouts. Does anyone have experience with Peco #4 turnouts?
If the latter, as someone else said I would avoid #4 and go with the #5.
If the former, I have had good results with the Peco "short" turnouts.
I cannot speak to the Peco code 75. I know nothing about it, other than it exists.
The OP's question doesnt make any sense. If he is talking medium and large then he is referring to code 100. If he is referring to #4 then he is referring to code 83, and if he really means #4 then he is referring to a #4 wye as Peco doesnt have a straight #4.
If he is referring to a code 100 "small" then i would suggest they are best for small locos and best to use medium or large if he has room.