turnout switches

[Penn1974]

What is the length of the short sections of straight track if I purchase a #5 or #6 turnout and the reason for that short section?

[Len]

If you flip the short section over, you'll find a scribe lines on each side regular track sections don't have. They are a guide for cutting the roadbed it will fit the diverging route correctly. It'd be nice if instructions were included on the packaging.

Len

[Penn1974]

Thanks. So what is the length of those short sections, what are they accomplishing on both the 5 & 6 turnouts? Is there somewhere that I can find this info?

[Len]

Try attaching a regular piece of track to the diverging leg of a #5 turnout. You'll find the road gets in the way, so you can't connect it properly. The included short section is to give you a piece of track that has the correct angle to cut on already marked, so you don't have to experiment with a regular section. You could also use it as a guide to make a cardboard template for cutting the correct angle on any other track section you wanted to attach to the #5.

Len

[Penn1974]

I understand that the short piece is for attaching to the divergent side. I am trying to design my layout before purchasing any track with the anyrail program. I would like to know the length of that short section of the 5 & 6 so I could look in the library and put that piece into the plan if Bachmann sells that item as a stand alone product. Does that short piece make a certain radius comparable to the number of the turnout? Does it make the final result parallel to the main line? Thanks.

[Len]

The short piece is straight, and just extends the length of the diverging leg while "blending" the roadbed. I don't have a #5 to be able to measure the short section, but it looks about 1-3/4" long in the picture.

If you want to use a curve section instead, you'd have to cut the angle on the roadbed yourself.

The angle of a #5 switch is 12 degrees, which doesn't match any of the smaller radius curves. So if you want to use a curve to create a parallel track, you'll have to cut one down yourself. It's not hard to do, I explained the technique to someone else here: http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,29354.msg216104.html#msg216104

For operational reliability, I would suggest cutting down a 22" radius curve, rather than an 18" radius curve.

Len

[Hunt]

Per my tech notes -- The short straight included with the Bachmann HO # 5 and #6 turnout is 2.25" long.


With a Bachmann HO E-Z Track #5 turnout use
     one    2.25" straight item no 44513
     one  33.25" radius 12 degree curve track item no. 44509
to bring the divergent back to parallel.

       12 degree 33.25"
         /
      2.25" 
      / 
   #5 === 9" straight




I have not looked at #6 turnout but experiment using Item no. 44530 - one-third section 18" radius curved track in place of  Item 44509

[Len]

Hunt,

No disagreement about the 33.25" curve, if you can live with the giagantic center-to-center spacing between the parallel tracks.

I suggest cutting down a 22" radius curve to leave space on a small layout for buildings and such.

Len

[Trainman203]

Man all of that is too much engineering for me since that's all i do  day long.

[Penn1974]

Thanks for every ones help. I will continue forward.

[Joe Satnik]

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