Hello
I have 22" radius on the outside loop of my layout. if I wanted to continue the curve at the same radius, which turnout # should I use ?
Just for reference, what radius are the #5 and #6 turnouts ?
Many thanks
Ian
Numbered turnouts don't have a consistent radius, they are straight from the frog (where two of the rails cross) on. They receive numbers that are determined by their diverging angles. In the case of a #6, it means it diverges 1 unit of measurement out after going 6 units forward, in typical degrees this is 9.46 degrees. Though numbered turnouts do have a substitution radius (If the turnout were removed, a curve of the same angle at this radius will fit in its spot between the diverging route and the route before it splits) and a point radius (sometimes called the diverging route radius) which is the radius of the curve BEFORE the frog (remember, turnouts are entirely straight after the frog!) on an NMRA compliant #6 the substitution radius is a whopping 69" and the point radius is 43". On a #5 the angle is 11.31 degrees, or, it diverges 1 unit for every 5 linear units, the Substitution radius of a #5 is 44" and the point radius is 23".
Thanks for the detailed response Jake. I think the #5 turnout meets the criteria the best