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Switch Work
The Basics:
This is another one of the key elements of track work that we continue to improve
upon. In our efforts to make this component as maintenance free as possible we
have left interchangeability of components and commonality in the dust. So that
we don't get ourselves in trouble here are some basics.
This is another one of the key elements of track work that we continue to improve
upon. In our efforts to make this component as maintenance free as possible we
have left interchangeability of components and commonality in the dust. So that
we don't get ourselves in trouble here are some basics.
The Frog:
The most common way of describing a frog is it's number and weight. The most
common method, if you don't know the number of the frog in question, is to find the
ratio of spread. The usual tool for measurement is your boot. A more precise method
is to add the spread at the heel and the toe on gage sides and divide the sum into
the total length.
The most common way of describing a frog is it's number and weight. The most
common method, if you don't know the number of the frog in question, is to find the
ratio of spread. The usual tool for measurement is your boot. A more precise method
is to add the spread at the heel and the toe on gage sides and divide the sum into
the total length.
For more information:
Components:
The names are the same but boy have they changed. We still have Frogs, Points,
Turnout rails, Stock rails, Guard rails and Heels but be careful! A 61/2 is not always
61/2. Lets assume we are dealing with a standard AREA design.
Your basic switch is made up of angles. The Angle of Switch or Switch Point and the
Frog Angle. These must intersect in the Turnout area. The Angle of the Frog is
dependent on the Speed, Track Center and the physical constraints of placement.
The Switch point is related to the Frog Angle.
The names are the same but boy have they changed. We still have Frogs, Points,
Turnout rails, Stock rails, Guard rails and Heels but be careful! A 61/2 is not always
61/2. Lets assume we are dealing with a standard AREA design.
Your basic switch is made up of angles. The Angle of Switch or Switch Point and the
Frog Angle. These must intersect in the Turnout area. The Angle of the Frog is
dependent on the Speed, Track Center and the physical constraints of placement.
The Switch point is related to the Frog Angle.