Derailments on Tomix 280mm turnouts?

[Mudkip Orange]

Considering purchasing one or more of the Tomix 280mm turnouts. I know everyone gripes about the Kato #4 and how longer-wheelbase stuff tends to pick the points, and I'm wondering if the same holds true for the narrower-radius Tomix stuff.

 

Like the 280R: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10073999

 

Or the Wye: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10037825

[bill937ca]

I've had both on my layout. The 280-30 takes up quite a bit of layout space as the tracks turn out at a 30 degree angle while the other switches exit at 15 degrees. I'm not using the 280-30 switches I have now because of the large space required in my yard.

 

Using the 280-30 at a station will change the track centers to 74mm instead of 55.5mm with the 541-15.

 

http://www.japanmodelrailways.com/finetrack/gleisplan1.pdf

 

The Y switch is very common on Japanese main lines, usually to create passing tracks at smaller main stations. Its a 15 degree turnout which is the standard Tomix angle.  The bigger issue is the pieces you are planning to place on either side of the switch which determines how tight the angle is.

 

I've not had any major derailment problems to speak of with either switch.  For Shinkansen I would stick to 541-15 switches. Most private railway rolling stock is shorter and should be OK with any Tomix switch.

[David]

The 30 degree angle on the shorter Tomix turnouts also leads to harsher S-curves if you are using them for stations and similar track doubling. The fancy expanding body mounted couplers on most modern Japanese EMUs seem to handle S-curves pretty well. Regular old truck mounted couplers can have problems for tighter radii, and American style (i.e. Microtrains) body mounted couplers seem very prone to derailment on S-curves, even with comparably wider radii and small turns (i.e. R315 with 15 degrees left followed by 15 degrees right).

[westfalen]

Considering purchasing one or more of the Tomix 280mm turnouts. I know everyone gripes about the Kato #4 and how longer-wheelbase stuff tends to pick the points, and I'm wondering if the same holds true for the narrower-radius Tomix stuff.

 

Like the 280R: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10073999

 

Or the Wye: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10037825

The only things I have consistent problems with derailing on Kato No.4's are old Life Like diesels, eg; E8's SD7's, as for long wheelbases the Kato GS4 and Spectrum J class don't seem to mind them.

[Mudkip Orange]

I'd be using them for straight spur tracks coming off a 280mm loop, so no S-curves.