Differnce in #5 and #7.5 Atlas Hi Speed Switches?

Both are nice but the 7.5 will be longer and more realistic.  The downside is it takes up more space.

I use MTH track so my switches are #4 and #6.  I use #6 for mainline cross overs and #4's for exiting the mains for sidings.

Have Fun!

Ron

The AtlasO #5 is 20" long, and the #7.5 is 24.5" long so there is not a great difference (4.5").  It is 9" difference for the comparable Ross switches.  Here is a visual for you.

Like O36 and O45 turnouts denote the different radii at which the divergent track leaves the main, #5 and #7.5 turnouts denote the ratio at which the divergent track deviates from the main.  So the larger the number, the more slowly it departs from the main.  In the case of the #5 turnout, for every 5 units you move along the main, the divergent track is 1 unit to the side of the main.  And being they are more straight than curved you can run your train along them faster.

Another point to consider is, if you have any locomotives with close pick-up roller spacing, the longer 7.5 Atlas turnouts might cause them to stop in the middle.

Thank you for the replys.

I will swap out some of my 72s for the 7.5s.

Ray

tynaskos posted:

I will swap out some of my 72s for the 7.5s.

Swapping out O-72s for #7.5 switches is an entirely different issue than what is the difference between #5 and #7.5 switches.  AtlasO #5 switches are somewhat equivalent to an O-100 switch, making the #5s much better operationally and aesthetically than an O-72.  Replacing O-72s with #5s for a crossover greatly lessons the S curve effect.

If you have room for #7.5s that is great.  But #5s are plenty good for 3-rail operations and are cheaper.  And as Hot Water stated, the rail gaps in #7.5 switches may cause some of your engines to stop. This is less likely with a #5.

Late model #5 Atlas 3 rail switches are dependable.  I found the Atlas 7.5 three rail switches to be  great looking but  offered less than desirable overall performance.  One large 3 rail public RR had to switch out all their #7.5 for #5 switches because of dependable operation issues.

One thing not mentioned is that both #5s and #7.5s maintain a 4.5" spacing.

Jan

I have both #5 and #7.5s and the triple mainline is approx. 34 LF .  I swapped out 4 72s already, I like the 7.5 look a lot better.  Thanks for all the information.

Swapped out 8 - 72 switches to 7.5s and made a heck of a difference.  Better transition between lines with longer cars.

Track looks good and trains traversing the crossovers will look even better!

Chuck

Wholly cow is that a bunch of real estate.  Had we known you had straight aways that long, this wouldn't even had to have been a discussion.

That Looks really good!!!

Have Fun!

Ron

tynaskos posted:

Swapped out 8 - 72 switches to 7.5s and made a heck of a difference.  Better transition between lines with longer cars.

 

Incredible looking setup! Do you have pictures of the entire layout?

If you want to form a double crossover, the Atlas #5 switches work with the Atlas #6082 22.5° crossing.

Switches are just like curved trackage in one respect: the bigger they are, the better they look & operate (provided the center rollers can span the switch's unpowered section, of course). 

But the downside is, the more real estate they eat up.  Rats! 

https://ogrforum.com/...5#141074882921236785

Where do you find sheets of cork like that?