I have seen various threads here (see below for one) and elsewhere on the internet saying that the Walthers code 83 curved switches (made by Shinohara) do not accurately list the curved radius measurments in the catalog. For example, Walthers lists itas a 24"R/20"R but others have said it is more like 24"R/16.5"R.
Does anyone actually have one of their #6.5 switches on their layout? If so, would you be willing to make a pencil tracing of it for me? Likewise, if you have a #7 I would also love a tracing of that.
I have also seen that their code 70 switches have different radius measurements, but to be clear I am only interested in the code 83 curved switches.
I don’t think I have any turnouts as tight as the #6.5 but I would have to take another look at the layout. I might have one in the engine terminal. Can’t easily read the bottom once they’re spiked and ballasted.
Mel,
I saw those templates but I am looking for a full size template. I think blowing them up would make them extremely fuzzy, but maybe I will need to try it anyway.
Edmund:
Thanks. I believe the #7 will be too large for my layout space, which is why I am leaning towards the #6.5. My mainline minimum radius is 24" which is what the outside of the switch will be. The inside will lead to some storage tracks, but 16.5" radius (which is what some have said it is) might be too tight. Still, a template would be useful if you do happen to discover you have on on yoru layout. Thanks!
I put the Walthers 6½ curved turnout template in my CAD and this is what I came up with.
The outside track radius center measures 24.4145”, the inside track radius center measures 18.93375”. The dimensions in the picture above are the outside rail length.
The accuracy is about .05” per the accuracy of the Walthers template.
You were correct about it being fuzzy.
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
I have several each of all sizes of Walthers/Shinohara curved turnouts on my layout. I carefully checked the radii of each by overlaying them on a radius drawn on a board and also by checking with metal radius templates by Ribbonrail. Unless the manufacturer has changed them in the last 2-3 years, the radii are definitely misstated. The outer radii are correct, but the diverging radii are consistently overstated by exactly 2". Therefore, the actual radii are: 36/30, 32/26, 28/22 and 24/18. Trust me.
Consider the PECO Code 83 turnout. Radii are larger, and about a #7 frog, but more compact than equivalent Walthers. I use them a lot for client projects and they seem to be working very well.
gmpullman, I just found this old and dormant thread while trying to find more data on Walthers curved switches, particualrly the arclength each main route defines. Have you measured the the arclengths subtended by the main route curve of thses switches. Taking rough numbers off your photographs I am able to calculate the #7 1/2 at approx 28.6 degrees and the #7 at approx. 31.1 degrees. Do these calculations in any way agree with your measurements if you have them?
I mostly see the Walthers Curved (#8 at least) go for around $35-40 range. During the past month or two I purchase one for $36 and another for $39 DCC friendly.
The DC versions sell for almost half that keep in mind if you are a DC user or don’t mind converting to DCC friendly.
The point tips are connected by a metal bar as are the hinges for the point rails. Meaning both point rails and are the same polarity and there is a potential for a short if a wheel hits the off side point rail.
Because they are power routing, both closure rails, the frog and the frog rails are one polarity (same polarity as the points). Both frog rails need to be isolated from the connecting tracks
DCC Friendly
Points are always of a different polarity as are both closure and both frog rails. The frog is insulated on both sides
gmpullman, It is just the main route arclength which I need as that is what defines the curve of the yard lead I am considering. A measurement plus/minus a few degress should be good enough for me to determine if this will fit the proposed location or not.
