Custom Curved Turnout

[davefoxx]

Does anyone have any idea whether building a curved turnout with a 10" outer radius and something like an 8" or 8-1/2" inner radius is feasible?  FastTracks does not offer a template for a curved turnout this sharp, but such a turnout sure would improve an operational issue on my layout.  By the way, I don't think that I have the skill to build such an animal.

Thanks in advance,
Dave Foxx

[wm3798]

I'm thinking about the same thing.  I'm considering resurrecting a compact switching layout on a module that I did years ago, and it requires some minimalist turnouts...



I'm thinking I'll just scan some Peco #4's, mess around with them in the old graphics program, then make my own templates.

Lee

[Chris333]

Just draw the curved turnout down on paper and build right over it.

I could draw the turnout you need, but I'd have to put in the ties freehand. On CAD the ties would be some sort of spaced spline thing that I don't know how to do yet.

You need right or left?

[davefoxx]

Hi Chris,

It would be a left hand turnout located approximately where the locomotive or the first boxcar is sitting in the following picture.  The inner track would connect to the existing siding just visible at right.  What I am trying to do is connect the siding back to the mainline, so that I can have a runaround track.



My concern is that I don't have the skill to build a curved turnout in N scale.  I haven't even tried to build a straight turnout yet.  :-\

Thanks,
Dave

[davefoxx]

Lee,

You're screwed.  ;D  "Minimalist turnouts," as you put it, buried in pavement?!  Now that's being a glutton for punishment.

DFF

[Chris333]

Ok so that whole curve is 10"R ?  and will the trains you will run go around a 8" curve? I assume that is code 55?

I can build it.

[davefoxx]

Chris,

Yes, the track is Atlas Code 55 flextrack and turnouts.  That curve is a uniform 10" radius, except for an easement at the entrance to the curve, which is practically out of the picture at right.  Since the runaround track would be at switching speeds, I'm not concerned that a four-axle locomotive and 40' and 50' cars would go around an 8" radius.  Do you think that an 8 1/2" radius may fit?  I plan to shift the existing siding, so that it will be approximately 1-1/2" spacing to the mainline.  It's farther from the mainline now but can be easily shifted.  That might ease the sharpness of the diverging leg of the turnout.

Now, the catch is that the curve is superelevated, but I think that could work to my advantage.  As you may have noticed in the previous picture, the mainline is installed on cork roadbed, but the siding is not.  The superelevation of the curve should cause the diverging leg (inner curve) to have some superelevation and also aim somewhat down, allowing for the transition I would need to connect to the siding that is approximately 1/8" lower in elevation than the mainline.  Right?

If you can build it, how much would you charge?

Dave

[davefoxx]

Chris,

I found these other pictures that I have previously taken, which may give you a better perspective of the job.

In this first shot, the siding at issue is located at the top of the picture, so the turnout would be located at the upper right-hand corner of the photo.  You can see how the siding could be shifted toward the mainline:


In this second shot, the siding is at the bottom, so the turnout would be located at the bottom left-hand corner of the picture:


DFF

[Chris333]

I have it drawn, used 10 and 8.5". This is a scan of a printout:

It will be easier to just make it and then you can fit it in and adjust your siding from there. Things will change the further back around the curve you place the turnout. I don't think it will dig into your easement and the super elevation... well who knows  ;D

Do you want the throw bar inside or outside?

Off to the C55 rail...

[davefoxx]

Wow!  That was quick, and it looks great!  Place the throwbar to the outside, so that I can avoid the temptation to reach over and derail a train with my shirt sleeve while I throw the switch under the train.  ;D  If it's got wheels, I can wreck it.

Dave

[Chris333]

Well it ain't much now, but it will get better.

I take my print out and stick down PC ties that I used spray glue on. More PC ties than a FT turnout just to be sure it will hold together. The two stock rails are soldered down. After the rest is soldered down and it works I will take another print out and glue wood ties to it leaving them out where the PC's go. Then I will glue the skeleton down to the wood ties.

Taking a break for tonight, should get it finished tomorrow night.

[wazzou]

Chris -

I can't emphasize enough how genuinely nice it is for you to offer to do this for Dave and proceed at the speed in which you have.  I know you have done similar things for others over on TB as well.

My hats off to you.

[asciibaron]

Taking a break for tonight, should get it finished tomorrow night.

what a minute - really!

here i'm waiting to get going on my layout cause Atlas hasn't released the curved turnouts and David is chugging along with his loop.  ouch.

[Erik W]

Chris rocks!  I was inquiring about the geometry of the new Atlas curved turnouts and whether one would work for me or not.  On figuring out it wouldn't, Chris built me a turnout to my specifications, no charge, and I had it in my hands within a week or so. 

Erik

[GaryHinshaw]

Chris -
My hats off to you.

Ditto!

[I'm still miffed about the guy on TB who bought a steamer from Chris, tweaked it a bit, entered it into a contest and won.  Then he made almost no effort to acknowledge it was Chris' work.  But I digress.]

That's going to be a cool little layout Dave.