Is a number #5 turnout close to an 0-72 turnout or a #100 radius turnout. I am not familiar with the conversions i.e. #5,#6 etc. as they relate to 0-72, 0-54, etc.
Thanks for any info!
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I've been trying to figure this out and I am sure there is not an exact match, I have Gargrave regs which I am upgrading to Ross Regular switches which I have been told are 0100.
The problem is the number turnout 5,6,7,etc refers to the frog angle where as the 0100 is the radius of the turnout in other manufactures, so I don't think a no. 5 is an exact placement but it would be very close.
An O scale #5 has the equivalent radius of about 52" (O-104) according to an Old Pullman pdf that I have.
The over all length is different too, correct? So an Atlas no. 5 will not drop in replace a Ross regular...
A numbered turnout, actually frog, like a #5, means that you will move five inches away from the point of the frog for every inch you move sideways. This is the way most real railroad frogs are made. Both rails in the frog are straight. Most toy train turnouts have frogs which have a continuous curve starting at the points and it goes through the frog to the end of the rails. The advantage of the fully curved turnout for toy trains is that the turnout is a direct replacement for a curved piece of track. On a real railroad they build the track as they go building what ever curves and lengths of straight track they need. In toy trains, most of our track is pre made so the maker works at making track in sizes and shapes that will fit together without custom made pieces.
Originally Posted by J Daddy:
The over all length is different too, correct? So an Atlas no. 5 will not drop in replace a Ross regular...
Probably correct. The #5 only refers to the frog angle ~11.5 degrees. different companies carry the tangent and diverging routes farther than others.
Jonnyspeed
The frog on a Ross #100 is 11 degrees (per their website). So if your saying a #5 turnout has a 11.5 degree frog...they are very close.
The length (straight section) of the turnout is not a concern at this time...I can compensate for any difference.
A numbered turnout is straight after the points and through the frog. A #5 is about 11.25 degrees diverging. The critical part with respect to running equipment is what they sometimes refer to as the point radius or closure radius (even though the closure rails are normally straight). On a #5 the points are around 55" radius (O-110) but that will vary by manufacturer as will the overall length of the turnout since the #5 really just refers to the frog angle. There's no set "radius" associated with using one in a layout.
