Building a yard ladder with Atlas custom lines. Need some help

[loathar]

I'm doing an Atlas code 83 yard ladder.Most of my locos and stock are pretty short. I would like to run some Dash's,AC's and 85' foot cars through it at slow switching yard speeds.(you know, six axle stuff) Can I get away with #4's(which I know are really 4.5's) or do I have to go to a #6? I'm just doing it on paper right now but I'm trying to work up a material list. I can get a bigger ladder with 4's but I don't want op's to be a pain in the behind.
Thanks

[Anonymous]

You might want to stick with the #6's

Not to stir the pot too much but I think Peco #6's take the same room as a Atlas #4 I could be badly mistaken.

Giving up a few extra inches and using a compound ladder of #6's will help keep your large power on the rails.

[ezielinski]

Some 6-axle diesels are just begging to derail on #4 turnouts, even at low speeds. It all depends on how much the trucks turn in the chassis. I have two Athearn SD40-2's and an SD-45, and a Bachmann Spectrum GE Dash 8-40CW, they will "just" squeek by. I have Geeps and SW7s as my ladder yard switchers, just because they navigate the close quarters better.

[loathar]

Thanks, I'm worried about the one Dash 8 I have right now. (I use that one as a yard stick for most measurements) The way I want to set the ladder up is so I can run a branch line unit through it from time to time with long six axle power. I figured it was a bad idea.
I was considering a 7 line ladder. I guess I'll have to drop back and punt to a 5 line or somthing that will fit #6's.
So far I'm still at 22" or larger radius on all my turns.(24's and 30's on my main)
I figured #4's wouldn't work[:(]. Oh well, no extra cost, just less trackage.
Thanx

[Anonymous]

Look at compound ladders or even come off a curve a little further back. Not really necessary to give up too much yard.

What space are you working with?

You mentioned that you wanted to "Run up the ladder" I humbly suggest a passing track ALONG the ladder so you dont have to hit every switch.

I cannot draw a image of what I am trying to say, perhaps another Forum member will help.

[Anonymous]

My staging yard is made with #4s and I have a lot of 6 axle units, none of which have trouble. I know for a fact that:
BLI AC6000
P2K SD60
KATO SD90MAC
KATO SD70MAC
Athearn RTR 6 axle units

Have no trouble with the #4s. You can run 86 foot cars through, but not coupled to another 86 foot car. Most of my cars are in the 50-70 foot range and they dont have any trouble.

[jim22]

Ok, I'm sure this is a dumb question, but I am also designing a yard right now, and I plan to use Atlas Code 83 track. Atlas sure has lots of different types of turnouts - "Super Switch", "Snap Switch", "Custom Line" - Could someone tell me the differences?

I gather the snap switches are like the code 100's on my current layout, with a straight section and an 18" radius curved turnout. Not very prototypical I suppose, but these were what I was planning on using. I don't have any cars or locos exceeding about 60', but I have noticed problems with cars upcoupling on the 18" curves if I give them a chance.

I've had very good recommendations for the Peco turnouts, but I don't think they are in my budget. I suppose I could stretch the budget, or leave room for expansion in the future and lay less track now if I had to.

Thanks,
Jim

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jim22
Atlas sure has lots of different types of turnouts - "Super Switch", "Snap Switch", "Custom Line" - Could someone tell me the differences?

As you guessed the official "snap switch" is a very short turnout with a curved diverging track designed to work in line with 18" curves.

The "Custom Line" track is what everyone considers as their normal HO track. One thing to remember is that the one they call a number four is actually a #4.6. If a locomotive can negotiate a 22" curve it should have no problem with an Atlas custome line #4.

[Bill H.]

My choice is #6. No worries, no problems and it looks good.

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by loathar
I was considering a 7 line ladder. I guess I'll have to drop back and punt to a 5 line or somthing that will fit #6's.

Are you talking a straight ladder? With Altas #4s that should take 51 inches for the ladder proper. A compound ladder with #6 turnouts should take only 55" for eight tracks (and that is all the way to clear the foul point). I don't know how to calculate for seven.....

QUOTE: I figured #4's wouldn't work.

I think they would.

[Anonymous]

I did ALL #6 turnouts with Peco which yes does fit exactly into a 9" straight. I run whatever I want, no issues, and even more importantly NO REGRETS!