09-24-2011, 02:43 PM
I did buy a bunch of Atlas #4 for my layout some years ago. I did not care so much about the radius of the turnouts because my layout would be a ISL only. The option to get more tracks for operation on a given space was much more compelling.
That was very wrong! First tests with 50' cars and GP38 looked really ugly. Even 40' cars with GP7 was not very attractive. It would look acceptable with 34' cars and 0-6-0T/0-4-0T switchers in 1920 or the 45tons switcher some time later at a Boston brick backyard industry only. All #4 went back into the cabinet, a new reduced track plan was developed and a new bunch of #6 turnouts had to be bought.
That was very wrong! First tests with 50' cars and GP38 looked really ugly. Even 40' cars with GP7 was not very attractive. It would look acceptable with 34' cars and 0-6-0T/0-4-0T switchers in 1920 or the 45tons switcher some time later at a Boston brick backyard industry only. All #4 went back into the cabinet, a new reduced track plan was developed and a new bunch of #6 turnouts had to be bought.
Reinhard