Does the curve of a curved turnout (Peco brand preferably) come in set radii? In other words, if you were going to put one on a curve and that curve had a 22 inch radius, are curved turnouts made that match the radius of the curve?
JaRRell
PEC-SLE86 Peco HO Code 100 Curved
Right Hand Turnout (Inside 30" & Outside 60" Radius
They are a fixed radius and according to the CC hobbies web site the above are the radii. I used some of them and you just have to work easement curves into the equation
Otherwise check Walther’s, they have a wide variety of curved turnouts, but it’s all code 83. Most of the same are available in code 100 as Shinohara.
–Randy
JaRRel,
What scale ? N or HO ?
Sorry bout that. I’m in HO.
JaRRell
Peco also makes a curved turnout in their SetTrack line, which I think is about 17.5" and 22.5" Radius Curves.
I have used several of them with Atlas snap track and the sharper curve is almost the same as an Atlas 18" curve track.
Sam
I’ve been looking for a code 83 turnout with an inside radius of 22", but no luck. I have, however, found a couple of websites (a)offering to hand-lay turnouts based on your custom specifications, and there’s always the option to hand-lay yourself using (b)Fast Tracks TwistTies.
(a) http://www.lestersboxcarworks.com/csttnoout.htm
(b) http://www.handlaidtrack.com/sub_category.php?id=310&link_str=293::295::310
In the '06 Walthers catalog pg298 shows item 948-8826 inside radius =18".
On the Walthers website, the same item 948-8826 has inside radius = 20".
(18" is a typo if outside radii are proportional)
I bought a curved # 7 Walthers (Shinohara) with 24" inside radius to replace pieces of 22" sectional track. It fit OK. The ideal size would have been # 7 -1/2 (28" inside).
If you draw a circle and insert an arc (of the same radius) that includes a short straight piece, you’ll need to “flatten it” or use a larger radius. The Walthers curved turnouts have a relatively long “straight” piece at the points. Save the box.
The PECO code 100 turnouts are just a bit tighter than 18 and 22-inch curves. They also have a 30/60-inch radius turnout. I’ve got a couple of the 18/22 ones now, and another on order. They work very well. I’m using them with the Peco switch machines, which mount directly to the bottom of the turnout and therefore avoid any alignment problems.