I know turnouts are numbered and that means the lenght of the switch I believe.[C):-)] I’m using # 6 turnouts but I would like a more gradual turn into the siding.Does anyone know if we can match up to atlas Code 80 from Peco 55?I can’t find any switches any longer than #6.
actually the number of a switch indicates the frog angle. for instance a number 6 frog gives you 1 unit of measurement between the rails for every 6 units of run. a number 4 would only need to go 4 units to achieve the same seperation. the higher the frog number, the less seperation for the amount of run.
grizlump
The code refers to the height of the rail in thousands of an inch. Code 80 would mean the height of the rail from the base to the running surface is .080 inch. Code 100 is .100, code 55 is .055 inch. When it comes to turnouts the #6 means the angle of the diverging track at centers. A #6 turnout means six inches from the frog point if the rails stay straight they will be 1 inch apart. A #8 would be 1 inch apart in 8 inches of length.
Pete
Matching the different code rail (Code 55 and Code 80) can be done but is going to take a little extra care. Some type of thin shim will be needed under the end of the C55 to make it’s top surface the same height as the C80. This can either be done with a thin layer under the tie strip or may be able to be accomplished with a carefully modified rail joiner. There may be specialized rail joiners out there manufactured for this, but careful work with needlenosed pliers can accomplish the task. You will also need to double-check the interior gauge of the track right at that joint to make sure that the slightly wider Code 80 rail isn’t creating a change in that interior distance.
With a little searching, you should be able to find multiple examples of commercially made turnouts in #8 or larger (and thus with the less-steep frog angle and a smoother/longer flow to the siding). You do not specify gauge. In HO, look at the examples from Shinohara.
Bill
Peco CD55 and Atlas CD80 both have the same height rail, and hence compatable without any shimming. Peco CD55 is actually CD80 rail sunk into the ties.
Atlas CD55 is actually .055" high.
David B
[:-,]I can’t find anywhere that AtlAS has #8 or #10 turnouts.Peco does have these. From talking to other railroaders I think the longer the turnout the easier my train will go into a switch. I do realize I’ll have to redo the track connecting to the longer switch.Do you guys think this is a good idea?
PECO does not have traditional “#8” or “#10” turnouts in N scale – if someone told you that, they made a common mistake. (Since you mentioned PECO Code 55, I assume you are looking at N scale). Traditional numbered turnouts have a straight diverging leg, PECO are somewhat gentler since they have a curved diverging leg.
In PECO C55 the switches are distinguished by the differing curve radii of the diverging legs, all have a #6 frog. The Small, Medium, and Large have diverging curves of about 12", 18", and 36" respectively. PECO C 80 Medium and Large Turnouts use a #4 and #7 frog and an 18" and 36" diverging curve respecitvely. So theoretrically, the PECO C80 is a little gentler than the PECO C55, but in actual practice, I have not seen a functional dfference.
The Large turnouts in either code from PECO are thus very gentle … I would be surprised that you would have a problem with PECO C55 Large. Hundreds of layouts are built successfully with Medium and Large turnouts from PECO N. What leads you to believe that there will be problems?
If you are experiencing problems with track you have already laid, it is sometimes the case that the track is accidentally laid with a “kink” where it connects to the turnout. This will cause problems, no matter the turnout number.
Newcomers also often inadvertantly design overly sharp s-curves into their layouts that can also create reliability problems, no matter the turnout number.
Atlas offers a #7 and a #10 in N
Right now I have #6 turnouts which are Atlas and also N scale.It seemds like when the end car gets closer to the points, the turnout is has too much curve right away.I would like a longer more gradual turn into a turnout.
6s are reasonably gentle, it’s a surprise that is a problem if the track into the turnout is connected squarely (again, a subtle kink at the connection to the turnout is often the culprit). This can also happen if you curve the flextrack a wee bit too sharply in making the connection to the turnout.
There is also a slight chance that the #6 turnout is defective in some way – it’s rare, but it happens. You may have already checked the turnout and the cars for gauge, but that’s definitely something to look at.
The curved leg of a PECO Large turnout may be gentler, but Atlas C80 #6s work with virtually all N scale equipment if the connecting track is laid with reasonable care (avoiding too-sharp curves, kinks, etc.). Atlas Code 80 #6 turnouts are used successfully in many, many layouts.
So changing to a PECO turnout or a larger-numbered Atlas C55 turnout may not help if the actual problem is in the way the connecting track is laid.
Best of luck.