Trying to use the #5 Y turnouts in a 4x8 layout.
What radius curve track works to connect a left- and right-turn #5 Y? Have tried several on anyrail and can't seem to get a curve track that will allow a perpendicular section of track to connect to the opposite side.
I usually use the 18" turnouts, so I may be missing a simple piece of track connection to make the layout flow. Thanks for any advice.
If you use a standard #5, not a Y, you can use a single piece of 33-1/4", 12 degree, radius curve to do so. To make the switch line up to standard 9" strait tracks, you can use a 4.5" and a 2" section together on both outputs of the turnout (that includes using the 33-1/4" curve as well).
Darrell-
The geometry of turnouts is different from "switches" in that both tracks on the frog end of the turnout are straight; the diverging track in a switch is curved. Also, remember that the diverging tracks in a wye turnout diverge from one another, which means that they separate twice as fast as a normal turnout with the same frog number. Flex track is the easiest way to bring the tracks back into parallel.
-- D
Dear dwh,
According to AnyRail,
a #5 wye turnout diverges both 6 degrees to the right and 6 degrees to the left.
A #5 right turnout diverges 12 degrees to the right, and
a #5 left turnout diverges 12 degrees to the left.
(All Bachmann HO N-S E-Z Track)
I'm not totally sure what you are trying to do, but to get a 6 degree divergence back to parallel,
you would need a 6 degree turn in the opposite direction. 33.25"R-6 degree curve track is item #44508.
Similarly, for the full right turnout and the full left turnout, the 33.25"R-12 degree curve track is item #44509.
The 22"R-11.25 degree (half) curve track is fairly close to 12 degrees, and most likely could be used. (Item #44532)
Being 3/4 of a degree off might cause some headaches on AnyRail, though.
Have you learned how to export your AnyRail drawing as a jpg file yet?
It allows you to upload your design as a picture to a photo hosting site like photobucket, then
post the link to it here on the board.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Joe Satnik