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Re: Help Finding Large Layout SIG

Allen Montgomery <sandbear75@...>
 

IMO, the best part about the Peco turnouts is that you don't have to juice the frogs. While they are plastic, I don't notice any hiccups compared to Shins.
Allen


On Wednesday, March 16, 2016 9:13 AM, "Tony Thompson tony@... [STMFC]" <STMFC@...> wrote:


 
Alex Schneider wrote:

 

With regard to PECO turnout radius, I find the following on their web site.

#4 Wye  -- 30"
#5 L or R -- 26"
#6 L or R -- 43"
#7 curved, L or R -- 60" outer, 36" inner
#8 L or R -- 67"
3 way, medium -- 24"
3 way, asymmetrical -- 36"

NMRA Recommended Practice (RP) gives recommended minimum radius and turnout for various classes of equipment. Almost all freight equipment covered by this group (1960 and before) was under 60' long and should run on class "N": 26.5" curves in HO scale and #6 turnouts. A large majority was under 50' and should run on class "M": 23" curves and #6 turnouts.

    Also be aware that Peco turnouts have the European frog design, with rails continually curving through the frog, whereas North American practice in the prototype is straight rails right at the frog itself. The curved frog rails are MUCH more forgiving in our sharp model turnouts, so understanding the turnout numbers in the Peco range can be misleading, compared to Shinohara or other turnouts built to North American practice. My personal view is that only a track specialist would object the almost invisible difference if you have "European" frogs on your layout.

Tony Thompson             Editor, Signature Press, Berkeley, CA
2906 Forest Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705         www.signaturepress.com
(510) 540-6538; e-mail, tony@...
Publishers of books on railroad history
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