What do members feel about a new switch that combines a straight with a constant radius curve?

When you write "This doesn't work that well because the "curved" diverging route starts out curved but becomes straight"  are you talking about the end of the switch near the points being straight or the end beyond the frog?  The reason I ask is that the Ross 072, 080, and 096 switches (#s 125, 126, 130, 131, 140, and 141) appear to be constant curves except for the short straight section before the points.  It would probably not be too difficult to bend that short straight section into a curve if that is the only problem.

John,
The only way your going to get a switch out of the norm is to make one.
It's not hard to do just takes a little reading and know where to get a few things you need.
Plastic switch frogs can be obtained from Steve Ross for 10 bucks a piece.
There are several tutorials on you tube .They're for other scales but the mechanics are the same.
You can download template's from Ross's website and modify them to your needs.
I've made about 300 N scale switches of various types and sizes.
And so far about 40 O scale switches.
Here's an 0-54 right hand switch made out of Atlas flex track and a # 10 right hand curved made out of code 80 N scale flex track
David

John i have 2 - 96 72 ross curve switches on my layout they work real well and i builted a layout with 4 of them on it for a customer he has on problem with them he go's both way's through them.

Guy

Hi John,

Are you looking for something other an O-72, 80 or 96 switch?  Like PGentieu, when I read your post it sounds to me like you are unaware of what all Ross offers.  Here's a link to Ross' price sheet pdf.: Ross Price Sheet

This might be as close as you can get.  This is O-72.  You could trim the one tie past the points, but as you can see, the inner curved(full - top of pic) rail is already curved all the way through.

If you connect a matching LH switch to the right of this one, you will have a sweeping O-72 curve with a straight diverging in each direction off of the curve.

Well, maybe I'm missing something, but it sounds to me like John purchased some numbered switches, like Ross Regulars (#5's) or #8's because he wanted wide radius curvature through the points.  It is quite difficult to get a pleasing curve with a straight numbered switch in the middle.  Curved switches are a great option when working with a layout with lots of curves.  However, they don't work if you want to put a spur straight into a corner.  Here are some examples of how you can use the curved side of standard Ross switches in place of a sectional curve.

Some people might question using the diverging route of a standard switch as part of your mainline.  Ross switches are smooth enough you don't have to worry.

Thanks everyone for your responses.  Dave you're correct and explained it better than I did.  I am using Ross #8 switches because of their wide radius.  I also have two Ross 096/072s used on a curve where the diverging track is also curved.

I've created a drawing showing the kind of switch I'd like.  In the picture below I've combined a Gargraves 138" diameter curve with a straight.  What do people think?

John,

What you are proposing sounds fine. All the turnouts on my layout are as you described:

http://www.smeltos.com/spamcan/Phase_01.htm

(click on each picture to see the next phase)

It allows the mainline to wander a bit.

Bruce

I do this as well with Fastrack switches.  I have a small-ish layout at the moment and it's one of the only ways I can get nice long spurs without S curves.  I to was concerned with potential derailing through the curved part of the switch on my mainlines, but so far it hasn't been an issue.  I run some big engines through at decent speeds (60-70 SMPH in some cases) and as the speed rises, I get more nervous, but so far nothing has gone flying off the track.  Fastrack has its drawbacks but the ability to buy switches in specific  curve radiuses is nice.  

I would like to have a curved switch for inside turnouts or even tighter outside turnouts, but I'm not holding my breath.  Heck, for all I know they do make one and I just neglected to look in the right place.  

I would love to hear Steve's opinion, from Ross Custom Switches!

It's funny how as O scale 3 rail progresses more and more into the fully sceniced realm of model railroading there's more of a need for what in other scales we call mainline switches. Switches with very wide radius' .

As far as your diagram goes looks like to me you just need a wide radius switch turned around backwards.
The biggest problem with wide radius switches is the amount of real estate they take up. Ask Dave Hikel . He made a curved wide radius switch that was around 3 feet long if I remember right?
The switch points have to fit the radius of the curve so they to have to be longer.

Call Steve Ross maybe he can make what you want but be prepared to lighten your wallet considerably.

David

I was wondering if Steve could make a kit we could use to modify Gargraves sectional track combining a curve and straight?  I will contact him once we've talked it through here.  Maybe he'll chime in?