Atlas 072/054 Turnout Question

So, no one on this forum knows if a locomotive needing 072 minimum curves will have problems going through the 054 leg of an Atlas 054/072 turnout? 

You will have problems.   Every so often my grandkids may switch my yard entrance which is exactly like you describe and I end up with derailments.  I designed this way for space considerations but in hindsight was a mistake.   My little switchers have no issues.

I have problems with some 6 axle diesels with O54 preferred radius going through. I think you will be disappointed trying to squeeze a big articulated through them.

The Ross O96/O72 curved switch adds about 3.5" in length to the curve towards the end of the table and about 3.75" to the width end after it squares up to 90° .

Try that in your track plan. The curves switches do save a lot of approach track when trying to get to a yard throat. That will permit mainline engines to drop-off on the A/D track.

I seem to recall that the drivers of the large steamers won't turn quickly enough to align and run over the rail or short against the center rail when trying to transition through the switch with the O54 turn-out.

EDIT: Forum member Jan went through this exercise: See his 12.16.15 post in this thread . he only had the end to park scale ABBA -passenger trains - an over 17' train.

Flyboy62 - thank you. I've hand-moved 21" passenger cars through the 054 turnout leg and they will go through - but it's clear they don't like it. I can't try it with my VLBB because that line has 045 curves to get to the turnout. I was hoping for a different answer, but thanks - looks like you've saved me a lot of heartache down the line (pun intended). 

NYC Z-MAN - are you saying 054 curves - in general - give your 6 wheel diesels problems?  Or are you answering my specific query - whether the short 054 leg on an Atlas 072/054 turnout gives your 6 wheel diesels problems?  Thanks 

Sounds like I'm back to the drawing board...

The VL BB locomotive will be able to do it (Go slow!), but the tender will not.  And from working with the switch, I can tell you the O54 part of it is the same as an O54 curve.

My layout is currently dormant but in the past the Ross 054/072 on one end of my Yard was a problem except for My Ten Wheelers, 4-4-0 Americans or small Switchers. I have negotiated it with a Pacific very slowly but some coupled passenger consists are often a problem.  

However my custom 072/084 curved Frank Curtis turnout entering the Yard on the other end of the layout will accommodate the Pacifics, 8-drivered Mikados and Mountain types, but always slowly and at times backed in. The same above applies to some movements on the outer leads of a 4-way centered inside the Yard.

Don't do it.  You will be sorry.  It may work most of the time.

There are compromises that we all have to make.  Like you, I needed to put a turnout in a particular location for the plan to work well.  This was in a place where I'd tell anyone else the same thing I told you: "Don't do it."  Well idiot me, I went and did it.  Guess how many times in the last five years I've had to work on this area of track.  The answer is far too many.  Finally, even though it compromised my track arrangement, I put everything where it should have been since day 1.  Everything works perfectly.

Save yourself the grief, time and trouble. 

You are tempting fate by trying to squeeze a too large engine through a too tight curves against manufacturer's recommendation.

Dewey Trogdon posted:

 

My layout is currently dormant but in the past the Ross 054/072 on one end of my Yard was a problem except for My Ten Wheelers, 4-4-0 Americans or small Switchers. I have negotiated it with a Pacific very slowly but some coupled passenger consists are often a problem.  

However my custom 072/084 curved Frank Curtis turnout entering the Yard on the other end of the layout will accommodate the Pacifics, 8-drivered Mikados and Mountain types, but always slowly and at times backed in. The same above applies to some movements on the outer leads of a 4-way centered inside the Yard.

 

I didn't think Frank Curtis was still making turnouts? If he is, that would be great news - and could someone please supply his contact information?  The overwhelming majority of folks at a couple clubs here in CT say his turnouts were the best, hands down. Thanks 

John C. posted:

Don't do it.  You will be sorry.  It may work most of the time.

Thanks to everyone for the advice. 

It would be nice if someone made an 072/060 turnout. That would solve some problems. 

PJB posted:

I didn't think Frank Curtis was still making turnouts? If he is, that would be great news - and could someone please
 supply his contact information?  The overwhelming majority of folks at a couple clubs here in CT say his turnouts were
the best, hands down. Thanks

And the reason being was the WELDED frog points as opposed to a milled block of aluminum or plastic. That made for minimal rail movement and a strong point to endure the banging of the locomotives and car wheels going over them. from time to time you might be able to find them at train shows. I found one dealer at Allentown selling them. He was confused stating they were  Gargraves switches and his low price reflected his ignorance. But if you look closely for the wood ties and spikes and that welded frog, you can find some!

If you want to use 054 track and switches ,,,,,should be running rail king and lionchief big boys, not the $2000 scale locos.... its just common sense

Jim Berger posted:

If you want to use 054 track and switches ,,,,,should be running rail king and lionchief big boys, not the $2000 scale locos.... its just common sense

Yep, and its common sense to read the post to which one responds too. Lol. Sorry, couldn't help myself - you walked into that. 

Jim, if you read my OP, I'm specifically asking only about a turnout. The layout is made up entirely of 072/081/090/099/0108 curves. 

PJB posted:

Flyboy62 - thank you. I've hand-moved 21" passenger cars through the 054 turnout leg and they will go through - but it's clear they don't like it. I can't try it with my VLBB because that line has 045 curves to get to the turnout. I was hoping for a different answer, but thanks - looks like you've saved me a lot of heartache down the line (pun intended). 

NYC Z-MAN - are you saying 054 curves - in general - give your 6 wheel diesels problems?  Or are you answering my specific query - whether the short 054 leg on an Atlas 072/054 turnout gives your 6 wheel diesels problems?  Thanks 

Sounds like I'm back to the drawing board...

Peter, Just the turnout. They perform fine on 054 curves. My GE Hybrid is most problematic as the axle assembly is rigid with no floating axle. It does go through without problems about 4 out of 5 times.