full scale turnouts

[gregc]

do full scale railroads use standard turnouts, or is each custom. in other words, do they have curved and straight points for left, right and wye, #4, #5, ... turnouts?

and do they actually have curved rails, or do they just forms curves from straight rails except when the radius is tight?

 

[Rico]

Far as I know it's a little of column A and a little of column B.
Progress made up a #20 switch in sections and shipped it East on several flats.
A friend of mine is starting up a frog plant as we type.

#20, yikes!!

 

[kjd]

On BNSF, a #9 is good for up to 15mph so not much use for oft modeled #4s, #5s, or even #6s.