Does anyone know the angles of curvature of the legs of these turnouts? Are they problematic?
Well, since they are curved, they don’t have a typical frog number like a #4 or #6, they have two curves, once is 18" and the other is 22". If your locos and cars can negotiate 18" radius, they should be fine. I don’t know about the quality. They are probably code 100 track.
–Randy
I had 18/22 r curved turnouts. The only problem I had was the steps on some of my longest locomotive would hit the switch machine.
Thanks, guys, I didn’t know that anybody made curved turnouts as tight as 18" and 22" radii. You may have solved my port scene dilemma.
Jim
I don’t know how much of a solution they’ll be. I do not think they are available any more. I picked up 3 lefts and a right about 10 years ago, on clearance…I think I paid $2.50 each. A check of the current Walthers catalog found no sign of ModelPower or Roco track.
You can get the Shinohara code 100 #6 curved turnout. This has an inside of 18" radius and I think an outside of 24" radius. These are still being produced although they are hard to find right now.
Peco makes curved turnouts also
bill
Jim, if you can’t find them, e-mail me.
Walthers/Shinohara also makes a curved layout (as described by knewsom) in Code 83.
Tom
Knewsom, I knew Shinohara made curved turnouts, but didn’t know they came in such tight radii.
Gsetter, I may be getting back to you soon.
And, on eBay recently I saw a Model Power three-way switch on offer, that appeared to have very tight radii legs as well. Might they be 18" or 22"? Anybody ever seen one of these beasts in real life? The seller is selling her dad’s estate or some such, and doesn’t know.
Jim
Jim,
The Shinhara curved turnout is listed as a #6 in the Walthers book. It corresponds to the measurements for the code 83 version. They also have a #8 which has larger radii.
Peco also has a medium double curved turnout. The inside radius is 17 1/4" and the outside is 19 7/8" according to Loy’s Toys. I have problems with my BLI Class A going through the inside curve so I had to switch to the Shinohara.
Thanks,
Kevin
For what ever it’s worth, XtrkCad indicates it’s a #4 switch in it’s description of the MP three-way
I’ve got a couple of the Peco 18/22’s, and they seem to work just fine. Like jkeaton said, they solve some track planning problems very nicely.
Hello I was having trouble with my 12 wheel diesel engines on the Model Power turnotus. I went out and bought 2 of the Pecos to replace them, come to find out they are the same curvature as the M/P. So now I have to keep the big engines on the outside tracks. These are in a hidden staging yard, so I will have to tear up the town above it to replace them.
Mike Dickinson
Thanks for all the additional information! I’ve seen the Peco’s for sale, but was told (obviously erroneously) that the inner track’s radius was about 24" and the outer 27".
Jim
Jim, There is another version of the Peco double curved turnouts where both radii are larger. this may be the one that you were told about. I have some of these also, but I thought that the radii were more on the 27" and 30" side.