04-11-2009, 12:48 PM
Shinohara HOn3 turnouts have sporadic availability. My local pusher, I mean LHS (Custom Railway Supply), has/had some dual gauge as well as regular HOn3 Shinohara in stock recently. Caboose Hobbies in Denver carries the Litco HOn3 turnout line (in addition to ME and Shinohara), which are turnouts pre-made using the Fast Tracks jigs. I know both Caboose and Custom have had problems in the past keeping any of the brands in stock; HOn3 turnouts seem to walk out the door as soon as they arrive. I would call both Caboose and Custom Railway Supply (Colorado Springs) to check availability and place an order if they have what you want. Stephen Hatch (http://www.railwayeng.com/) will custom make the turnout of your desire for pretty reasonable prices and turnaround time, and they are now available with wood ties attached. Last but not least, Trout Creek Engineering (http://www.troutcreekeng.com/bkho.html) has the complete line of BK turnouts and track supplies. BK turnouts are available as kits, components, or assembled.
As mentioned, an HOn3 #4 is much "sharper" than an HO #4, especially the Atlas #4 which is really a #4.5. The closure rail radius of an NMRA-spec HOn3 #4 is 9" (16" for a #5 and 27" for a #6, for comparison the HO numbers are #4 - 15", #4.5 - 22", #5 - 26", #6 - 43"). Shinohara stretches their #4 so it's not quite that sharp, but it's still quite tight. So even though the closure rail curve is very short, larger HOn3 locomotives will not like the #4s, and some of them won't even like #5s.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred Wright
....modeling foggy coastal Oregon, where it's always 1900....
Chief Engineer, Wiper, Bottle Washer, and Jack of All Trades for...
Picture Gorge & Western Railway....HO
Port Orford & Elk River Railway & Navigation Co....HOn3
As mentioned, an HOn3 #4 is much "sharper" than an HO #4, especially the Atlas #4 which is really a #4.5. The closure rail radius of an NMRA-spec HOn3 #4 is 9" (16" for a #5 and 27" for a #6, for comparison the HO numbers are #4 - 15", #4.5 - 22", #5 - 26", #6 - 43"). Shinohara stretches their #4 so it's not quite that sharp, but it's still quite tight. So even though the closure rail curve is very short, larger HOn3 locomotives will not like the #4s, and some of them won't even like #5s.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred Wright
....modeling foggy coastal Oregon, where it's always 1900....
Chief Engineer, Wiper, Bottle Washer, and Jack of All Trades for...
Picture Gorge & Western Railway....HO
Port Orford & Elk River Railway & Navigation Co....HOn3