Hello planning experts!
I’m thinking about using Atlas #6 turnouts for crossovers. Just two of these and nothing in between. Do you think I’ll be ok with s-curves on these running mostly 40-foot boxcars behind geeps.
It could work as long as you take it slow through the crossover. #8’s would be much better.
It will work fine. I have #6s with a crossover and my Dash 8s get through with no problem.
I’ve done this also. My NW-2 has no plemblems.
The S-curve created by the No.6’s should be no problem for your stuff, in fact you should be able to run passenger cars thru there too (although they would look better with No.8 or No.10’s).
Generally, if the straight section created between the points of the turnout are larger than the equipment you’re running, it should be fine.
Use a pair of #6’s for a crossover and can run passenger cars and most everything at speed (say scale 60 mph)through them. I typically test and adjust an engines top speed (down from 100+smph) by running them through the #6 crossover. I also run steam units through them without trouble.
I also have a pair of #6s used as a crossover, and I don’t have any problem running mostly 40 footers through it at speed. Should work out pretty well for you unless you’re running large steam.
HD
I can run my BLI Santa Fe 4-8-4 with heavyweight passenger cars through a Walthers double crossover with no trouble.
Ditto here. I have a few #6 crossovers. Dash 8s and 9s work fine.
My Pioneer Zepher(four car) can take the #6 crossover at a scale 112 MPH without problems. #8’s would look nicer.
I run full-length 85’ passenger cars with diaphragms through them just fine. Also relatively large locos like 4-8-4’s and GG1’s. All will handle it forwards and backwards at faster then realistic speeds, too.
And no, I haven’t done any tuning with the turnouts, either, no filing or anything of the sort. But all my wheels are in gauge, and the couplers are mounted at the proper height. Most of the cars use body-mount couplers, even.
–Randy