Small change in plans, No longer doing HO scale switching to N-scale. I plan on running a minimum Radius of 24 inchs on the main line. I want to run some big steam. Would a #6 switch work like a 4-8-8-4 or do I need to put a #8 where I plan to run the Big Boys! These swtichs would be used to switch from the one of two main lines and into a engine shed (maybe a round house).
What does #4, #6 all mean in terms of switchs is it how long it is?? or the Tangent of the angle of departure from the each track???
With those big loco’s I’d stick to a minimum of #8’s on the main, and #10’s would be even better (and look awesome with those nice big curves). #6’s might be OK in a yard where speeds are lower.
With turnout numbers, the larger the number, the more gentle the turning away of the diverging route. Longer wheelbase loco’s need nice gentle curves and turnouts.
I believe the numbers refer to the angle of the diverging route. For instance, on a #6, for every six units (inches, feet, whatever) you go through on the straight route, the diverging route will be one unit away. So a #8 will take eight units to get that one unit away, and a #10, ten units.
The turnout frog number refers to the diverging angle of the frog only. It generally equates to the overall length of the turnout, but different makes and models of turnout will vary in length – one manufacturer’s #8 will be longer or shorter than another manufacturer’s #8.
While a Big Boy is an unusual choice for a switching layout, you would probably find that without cars attached it will negotiate a #6 crossover. That is, if you’re just running it in and out of the engine service area. To be safe, testing first before building would be the best path.
A good choice for N scale if you will be using all newer equipment with shallow flanges is Atlas’ Code 55. They have a #7 that should work fine with your Big Boy. But you still might want to test first.
Too large a turnout can be a problem just as too small a turnout, if it means that you don’t have enough space to build an engaging layout.
Space was a concern when I was building it as a HO scale, but now that I am doing N scale I am not to concerned. Also with over 60ft of track just for one of the loops I guess the turn out length for the mains is not really that much of a concern to me. Hell A #10 would look awsome to and I bet the cars following anything would nicely slide over to the other track. And I guess the entrence and exit to the yard will #10 turnouts also and right off the end of the first yard track will be a siding heading to the engine facilities. Just wanting to plan for the big boys got to buy them yet. As I started liquidating my Previous N-scale stock, Until my darling wife told me I should just do N-scale after talking to many guys that sugested that I do n-scale and the more i thought about it the more I was like more room to do things. And I could fit a Big boy with out having to have 50inch radius loops for a HO scale bigboy to look right.
Thanks for explaining the meaning of the numbering system for turnouts.