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Turnouts
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My understanding is, in laymans terms... numbered turnouts (#4, #6, etc) aren't 'curved' in their diverging (switched side) routes, but actually 'angled' in more or less a straight line, thus they really don't conform to any particular curved radius. The exception to this, is Atlas "Snap Switches" which aren't numbered, and they're designed with curved diverging routes roughly equivalent to 18" radius curves. <br /> <br />For example, an Atlas #4 switch can handle large 6 axle locomotives because the diverging route is more or less 'angled' away from the main route in a straight line, even though a #4 is roughly the same physical size as an Atlas Snap Switch. The Snap Switch will almost always derail a 6 axle diesel locomotive, because the diverging route is curved to an 18" radius, and larger locos aren't designed to take curves as tight as 18" radius. <br /> <br />I'm sure more people will respond with more technical answers, but that's the basic jist of it, as I understand it. <br />Thats my understanding anyway.
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