I am in he process of dismanteling an existing layout and designing a new layout, I am going to have a yard on my new layout, something I didn’t have before.I am going to use it mainly as an area to store some of my rolling stock, but will also want to move some of the cars around. I am modeling in HO scale and intend to have about 6-8 tracks in my yard to store the rolling stock. My question is what size turnouts should I use in the yard #4,#6 or #8. I am sure there is some more information that is probably needed to answer this question, I am just looking for some rough idea how to go about this without making a complete disaster out of the finished product. Thank You for any help in this matter.
I went with #4 turnouts in my yard because of lack of space. It works OK for most rolling stock but larger locomotives and 85 footers have trouble negotiating a #4 S configuration.
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Simple answer as large as possible.
#4 may be too sharp and #8 may be overkill. #6 is a good trade off.
Remember you will have s curves to deal with and you will be backing trains across the swithches.
Steve
What Steve said! (Very eloquently too I might add).
Dave
First I agree a #6 is nice if you have the room but,#4s would as well.
I use #4s on my ISLs have no issue even when I use my Southern or N&W SD40-2 or my Atlas N&W SD35 shoving two 79’ centerbeams…
Not sure where the “S” curve comes from that was mention above and if there is one then its so minor it doesn’t cause issues.
Note that not all "#4"s are the same. a couple of the folks posting here used Atlas CustomLine #4s, which actually have about a #4 1/2 frog. So they are a little gentler than a true #4 like Walthers and thus work a little better in yards.
PECO’s Code 83 #5 is also a good choice for freight yards. (As are PECO’s “Medium” in Code 75 and Code 100, although the curved diverging leg bothers some folks in terms of appearance.)
There is a modest s-curve formed by the first two turnouts in a traditional straight yard ladder.
I have no idea what an 'S" curve is or how I would end up with one in a yard?
Hi,
I’ve got a fair sized (11x15 w/lower level) HO layout and use Atlas #4, #6, and #8 turnouts. The 8s are great for high speed crossovers and and 6s are good for all the other mains.
I use 6s in the yard where longer cars may go, but mostly I use 4s. The obvious reason is space, and of course I had a lot of them when the layout was built.
Ok. Thanks…I see what your calling a “S”. I’ve seen that but,I don’t consider it “S” but,YMMV.
For me its not enough to worry about.
I use WS#5s on the ladders and WS#6s elsewhere in the yards. My BLI 2-10-4 and Rapido coaches handle the #5s just fine.[:)]
The #4 turnout S is quite tight in my yard, I close coupled the two turnouts to get 2” center to center storage tracks. I had to shorten the rails on both turnouts to accomplish 2” centers. The turnouts in question are Atlas Custom Line #561s and #562s. Cuyama’s diagram above shows my S curve accurately.
Proto PAs and E7s occasionally derail at the S. All my four wheel truck diesels, Athearn SDs, Proto SDs and Model Power E7s clear the S OK. My Bowser GS4s, Bachmann GS4s and all of my articulated locomotives are a definite no go through the S. All of my locomotives will clear a normal #4 turnout.
When I was running Bachmann 85 footers they wouldn’t negotiate the S either. The Athearn 72 footers clear the S without any problems.
This alternative arrangement avoids the S curve noted above. I used it for my fictional yard in Silverton. It may work depending on how things are where you need it.
BTW, the 4-track yard central here is all #4, while most everything else is #6.
As far as the “S” curve I think it depends on the yard design and switch type. Pictured below is Atlas C83 Custom Line #4 switch.
I use #5s, and 72 foot centerbeam flats have no problems.
The Walthers/Shinohara Code 83 units are true #4s; however, the radius through the points is 26". My six-axle E-8s and PAs negotiate these #4s smoothly.
Dante
Of course, the challenge in a yard is shoving strings of cars. Since the PECO Code 83 #5s are about the same length overall as the Walthers #4 (out of the box), I like them for freight yards, with the higher frog number a nice bonus.
On my 2012 HO layout I went from Atlas Custom Line #4s to Peco medium switches and haven’t looked back.
The answer really depends, as others have alluded to, on the length of rolling stock you plan on running. If you limit your self to 50’ or maybe 60’ rolling stock then #4 may be ok.
I have passenger cars, auto racks and TOFC flat cars so #6 is my absolute minimum. I would suggest to the OP that #5 would be a minimum às a compromise.