I’m modeling in HO.
What I’d like to know is, if I but two turnouts together…frog end to frog end…what number turnout’s do I use, that will give me the 2" seperation for the main lines?
Also…what numbers do I use in a yard that will give me the latter look of a real rail yard?
I just re-read what I asked…I’m so new at this,and lost half the time!!! But hope I have explained what I’m looking for. If not, sorry… I’ll try again if you ask.
Thank you;
Robert
If I understand your question correctly, you want to set up a double mainline track with a crossover using two turnouts. In that case, you would use two #6 turnouts.
As for the yards, #4 turnouts are often used on layouts to save space, but I use #6 turnouts in the yard as well, because larger engines (steam engines and 6-axle diesels) and longer freight cars and passenger cars have difficulty negotiating the shorter turnouts.
Rich
The separation between mainlines is based on how much track there is beyond the frog. Many manufacturers make them so there will be 2" spacing between parallel tracks - regardless of turnout number. If necessary, you can buy or cut short pieces to place between the turnouts.
If you have the room, you should use at least #6’s because they handle the equipment better - especially large locomotives and long cars. For layouts with shorter cars/locomotives #4’s or #5’s may work. Be advised that not all manufacturers make turnouts the same so mixing turnouts may require some fitting adjustments. In particular some #4’s such as Atlas are actually #4.5’s - this is a good thing as #4’s are actually a little tight for layouts based on the popular 18" radius.
Enjoy
Paul
Switch number really has nothing to do with it. You could use anything from a # 4 to a #10 for a crossover. The spacing is more dependent on the brand of switch and how long the manufacturer has made the diverging route (which really has nothing to do with the switch number.)
Anything from a #4 to a # 8. I would suggest #5 or #6. #4 is very sharp and doesn’t look “real” . I use #5 for a 1900 era yard. I used #6 when I had a 1950 era yard. #8 is close to what real yards use, but for models is a very long lead. A friend of mine built a yard lead with #8 switches, it looked great bu took forever to switch. I wouldn’t suggest anything over #6 as a matter of practicality.
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Thank you…This info helped…ALOT!!!
Robert
My general rule is to use the largest that I can. They look better. That doesn’t mean there is always room for large turnouts though and that’s ok.
On each parallel track you connect a left-turnout to a left-turnout, or a right-turnout to a right-turnout – Just use the same turnout # connected frog-to-frog – Example #6 turnout to #6 turnout (as already pointed out).
To permit rail traffic to go both directions, in effect getting a crossover, for the parallel tracks: On track #1 place a left-turnout and next the right turnout. Then do the same thing on track #2 as just described above (left to left and right to right).