thanks for all the info guys. Matthew
btw… I have these switches… but I cant seem to find a number on them… what is the standard switch #? here is a link: http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/catalog/?function=detail&id=195
I think EZ Track is a good solution for some. I personally chose Atlas True Track (Code 83) because I liked the profile better and the joints were very tight and not as noticeable. Also, the track can be snapped out of the plastic roadbed and used on cork or foam roadbed with better ballasting appearance. As time goes on, I plan to do this on parts of my layout, especially in the yard area since the big limitation with True Track is that they only make one size turnout, the snap switch. This really limits you in laying out yards and sidings, and is a bit tight for some locos. You can also then switch to under layout switch machines rather than the exposed Atlas twin-coil type.
These types of track systems allow one to get up and running quickly, which is exactly what I wanted at my age. I really enjoy running the trains, but now, as I have time and inclination, I will slowly convert to more prototypical appearance.
Jerry
The standard radius for your standard snack track turnout is 18" radius if the curve extends beyond the frog. All bets are off when you are considering other switches that are identified by a frog number. A #4 from one manufacturer may not generate the same angle of departure as a #4 from another manufacturer. This applies to numbered frogs as well. The reason for this is that one manufacturer could build a #3.8 frog while another manufacturer provides #4.2 frog. Both manufacturers can rightly identify their switchs as #4’s but there will be a significant difference in the resultant angle of departure. This is why one manufactuerer’s turnout cannot be used as a drop-in replacement for another brand of turnout unless you want to switch a Walther’s for a Shinohara since Shinohara makes the turnouts for Walthers. However, in this regard, keep in mind that the Shinohara brand track will be either Code 70 or Code 100 while the turnouts sold under the Walther’s brand name is Code 83.
Go to bachmanntrains.com go to US, go to “product search”
Go to HO scale E-Z Track for almost all of the track pieces.
Way to go Zepher. It’s nice that someone actually paid attention in geometry class.
I had to relearn it and trig. last spring because I was helping a student with their “BOIDS” science fair project. It is amazing the formulas one can reconstruct if they remember the “unit circle”.
P.S. Is Clinton close to “Tan Tar A” or is that on the other side of the reservoir?
I thought Shinohara did make a code 83 line - or did that go away when they started doing Walthers track??
BTW one thing about Bachmann track - I used some to build a straight track on a shelf leading along an aisle to the staging area on my old layout. It’s amazing how fast you can lay track using those 36" straight sections !!