Atlas turnouts

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I also use atlas turnouts for their $$ and they typically work well enough for me for my layout. I’ve got a question regarding one in particular.

I want to instal a right hand straight turnout on a 22" curve yet maintaining the curve. Would I need a #4 or something broader? Need to mention it’s HO.

Thanks

2

Well, first Atlas turnouts do not maintain a constant curve. It is best to determine where the turnout is to be and calculate the constant curve on both sides of it. Second, if the turnout was a constant curve I believe a smaller # would be needed rather than a larger one. Remember Altas custom line #4 turnouts are actually closer to #5s than they are to a real #4. If you really want a continuous radius through a turnout look to the Peco short turnouts. They have the European style curve of 24" through the turnout.

3

Atlas has come out with a snap switch 22" curve in code 83. If you’re not using code 83 you could probably fit it in anyway with a little shimming or transition joiners.

Using a numbered turnout will require altering your curve.

Enjoy

Paul

4

Atlas makes a code 83 snap switch with a 22-inch curve for the diverging path. There is still a short straight section leading into the points, but you could cut that off and have pretty much a pure 22-inch curve, if that’s what you want.

5

Dollars aside, why not just use a curved layout which is designed for such purposes?

It will maintain the desired curve without the risk of kinks and resulting derailments.

Rich

6

I found that the #6 curout transitions better into a 22" or 24" radius curve. The Custom Line series are not really curved on the diverging rail. The snap switches do have a curve to them that are right about 18" radii unless you get the Code 83 snap switch disctibed above.

Massey

7

I just got the Walthers sale flyer today, and they have a bunch of curved turnouts in it. Big track sale. I have two curved turnouts on my layout, that I have had no problems with. I don’t remember who made them. The Atlas Code 83 Curved Turnout says #7. Not sure what radius that would be. They have some others in the sale flyer, but they apparently are code 100 or code 70.