Shinohara's # 6 switch has a straight rail length of 13 7/8". The frog point in direction of travel is 8 3/4". For some idea of size, anybody have an HO switch to add those measurements for this comparison? Greg Elems
Jim, Thanks for the links. I can't get through at the moment, so I'll check later. I was hoping to get a measurement from an HO Shinohara switch to compare with my S. Kind of like comparing a Fuji apple with a Washington Delicious. Also, not having seen those RP's before, I wasn't sure how close the S version is to them. There has been talk that they had issues in that respect. I do know that my S switches work fine for my selection of cars and engines. Greg Elems
Thought I’d throw this track discussion in on the switch thread. In my limited experience of laying flex track, the Shinohara code 100 track goes down easier than the HO. Ballast and weathering make it look even better. If you can live with prefab #6 and #8 switches, getting a layout running should be quick and painless. Code 100 in S is close enough for most class 1 mainlines. Few RR’s had heavier track and most weren’t quiet that heavy. For me, the code 100 is just right. My cars and engines look good on it and any problems were from my hastily laid track. Greg
Greg, Do you know who sells the Shinohara S Scale Track? I would like to know where I can get it once I start construction on a layout.
Don, There is a hobby shop in Las Vegas that has the track and switches. I will have to look up the name, it has changed. It maybe in the back of MR or RMC listed in the states section. I will look and see if the any of the addresses ring a bell. Also, Scenery Unlimited may sell it, and they do a lot of business through the mail. Greg
Slimjim, Thanks for the URL's. Did you notice the differences in price for the turnouts? The various sites offer them from $20-$40. It obviously pays to shop around.
