DCC Turnouts

[Gsb200im]

Can someone please explain what the differences for radius or length for the switches / turnouts...... than this one has an extra piece or same as dc? If it is. Degrees, inches, radius? Thanks.

[Quentin]

Radius would be the sharpness of the curves. the bigger the number, the wider the curve. DCC and DC should be the same. Radius should be in inches. The DCC turnouts will work on DC layouts, but the DCC motor will not operate. you'd have to manually switch them.

Hope this helps.

[Terry Toenges]

Here is a list of Bachmann E-Z Track turnout lengths. The standard ones are 18" radius.
Bachmann EZ Track turnouts (switches)
Nickel Silver with gray roadbed
Part #               Size                  Straight Length    
44557......................left #4   with 2 ¼" str........10" long             
44558......................right #4  with 2 ¼" str..........10" long               
44561......................left stndrd/w 18"rad cur.......9" long                 
44562......................right stndrd/w 18"rad cur.....9" long   
44565......................left #5....................................11 1/2" long                   
44566......................right #5..................................11 1/2" long                   
44569......................wye #5 w 2 ¼" str.................11 3/8" long                 
44559......................left #6....................................15 1/2"                   
44560......................right #6..................................15 1/2"               
*44575.....................left crossover #6..................21 1/4" long                     
*44576.....................right crossover #6...............21 1/4" long                   
44139......................left #4 DCC..........................10" long           
44140......................right #4 DCC........................10" long               
44130......................left std/w 18"r cur DCC.......9" long     
44131......................right std/w 18"r cur DCC.....9" long                         
44132......................left #5 DCC..........................11 1/2" long                               
44133......................right #5 DCC........................11 1/2" long                 
44134......................wye #5 DCC.........................11 3/8" long                     
44135......................left #6 DCC..........................15 1/2" long                   
44136......................right #6 DCC........................15 1/2" long                     
*44137....................left crossover #6 DCC.........21 1/4" long                 
*44138....................right crossover #6 DCC.....21 1/4" long                     
*#6 Crossovers are 2 3/8" between track center lines.

[Len]

The diverging track of the 'Standard' turnout has an 18" radius to match the curves that come with most sets. The diverging track of the numbered turnouts is straight. The number indicates the distance from the frog point where there is 1" of seperation between the frog rails, with a smaller number indicating a sharper divergance. A #4 indicates there is 1" of seperation 4" from the frog point, #6 would be 6", and so on.

For EZ-Track numbered turnouts what you need to know is the angle of divergence to factor it into your planned curves. For instance, the EZ-Track #4 diverges at 15deg, so use a half section (15deg) 18" radius curve to add the #4 to an 18" radius curve. Or, flip the half section over to bring the diverging track parallel to the through track. The #5 turnout diverges at 12deg, the #6 at 10 deg, and the 'Y' at +/- 6deg.

Len

[trainman203]

DCC appears to have nothing to with track switches.  Other than a switch motor that might operate via an address in the same manner as a a locomotive.

I have a DCC layout.  I have track switches with both insulated frogs and powered frogs.  DCC has no bearing on train operations over either type of switch.  I believe the term DCC turnout is a misnomer and a marketing term.

[Len]

"DCC Turnout" on the EZ-Track packaging just indicates there is a stationary decoder built into the circuit board under the roadbed for operation using a DCC controller. Just about an turnout can be controlled using a DCC controller using a Digitrax DS64 or DS52 stationary decoder. The DS64 will control up to 4 turnouts, the DS52 can control 2.

Len