I suggest that one should check their own turnouts for dimensions and characteristics that may be crucial to their planning and operation. For example, I use Walthers/Shinohara turnouts and found that the RCR (or CRR, if you prefer) of the #4 is actually 26", not 15". The RCR of a #5 is 30" and that of a #6 is at least 36" or slightly more. I verified these using Ribbonrail gauges (the largest I have is 36"). And I ran operating tests on the #4 that confirmed that it handled a BLI 2-8-2 and 6-axle diesels without difficulty (of course, I ran them through at relatively slow speeds). Checking that data can make a significant difference in what is possible.
Comments
Turnout Easements
I suggest that one should check their own turnouts for dimensions and characteristics that may be crucial to their planning and operation. For example, I use Walthers/Shinohara turnouts and found that the RCR (or CRR, if you prefer) of the #4 is actually 26", not 15". The RCR of a #5 is 30" and that of a #6 is at least 36" or slightly more. I verified these using Ribbonrail gauges (the largest I have is 36"). And I ran operating tests on the #4 that confirmed that it handled a BLI 2-8-2 and 6-axle diesels without difficulty (of course, I ran them through at relatively slow speeds). Checking that data can make a significant difference in what is possible.