Turnouts

[LoudMusic]

I'm curious what the longest custom turnout anyone has made or seen on a model railroad layout would be?

To that end, what's the longest manufactured turnout - I've seen as much as #10 from multiple vendors but I believe that's the longest.

And what are prototypical measurements? For mainline and other uses?

 

[Cjcrescent]

The longest I personally have ever made was a #16, for our club in Mobile, almost 30 years ago. The curved leg was the mainline. IIRC from just the points to the frog, it was about 14". Very smooth runner. I've since made some curved turnouts that were almost as long, but I can't remember the radii used.

I may be wrong, but IIRC, most prototype turnouts on the mains have a #26 or greater frog, and a #12 is considered a tight turnout, only for use in a slow speed area like a spur, or yard.

 

[MGWSY]

This should help you answer some questions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railroad_switch#Turnout_speeds

Largest switch I seen was a HO handlaid #16 switch on a club layout which is now gone.

 

[LoudMusic]

Great info. I like this quote, "A rule of thumb is that the rated speed of a switch is twice the number." Certainly dependent on the equipment rolling over it among other factors, but interesting rule anyway.