[Garratt]

There seems to be misconceptions everywhere. I don't have any AristoCraft switches so I can only go by what seems logical.
I think I have found the source of the 'myth' of the elusive 8 foot Aristo switch.


AristoCraft ‘10ft’ curves are actually 3000mm diameter and there's 12 sections in a circle, each being 785mm in length on the center line. 30 deg.
AristoCraft 'X-Wide' switches (ART-30370/80 2008/09 Catalog) same diameter of 3000mm but there's 20 in a circle going by AnyRail, each being 471mm? in length on curve center line. 18 deg. Cliffy's traced design suggests they may be a bit longer, although his diameter/radius is incorrect.
AristoCraft ‘8ft’ curves are actually 2400mm diameter and there are 16 pieces in a circle, each being 471mm in length on the center line. 22.5 deg.

You can see that casual observation of an AristoCraft '8ft' curve section would look much the same as an AristoCraft '10ft' X-wide switch as they are theoretically the same center line curve length of 471mm.

AristoCraft 2008-2009 Catalog

Possible published errors, unless I am missing some aspects:-
AristoCraft products publishing their track dimensions rounded off in feet with no reference to the actual metric fact of the matter (originally designed to fit in with LGB).
AnyRail design software's CAD size of AristoCraft curves and switches in exact rounded foot dimensions rather than the slightly smaller but actual metric sizes.
Train-li comparing the AristCraft X-Wide switch to a ProSwitch R4 (Radius 4ft, actual 1200mm) in a table on their website.

Andrew

 

[Garratt]

Dick, I think the ART-11200 is the 4ft'er or should I say 1200mm diameter R/H Euro brass.

Andrew

 

[Garratt]

Ted, the AristoCraft '4ft' switch has nothing to do with the issue of the elusive '8ft' Aristo switch (turnout).
I think the AristoCraft '4ft' (1200mm actual dia) switch is exactly the same as an AristoCraft '4ft' curve section.

Andrew

 

[Garratt]

A '10ft' Wide switch (exact length may slightly differ) would appear to drop into the same gap as an '8ft' diameter curve although the degree angle would be different.
An '8ft' dia curve of 22.5 degree then a '10ft' dia switch of 20 degree, although there would be enough fudge factor in the joiners, one would not necessarily notice much wrong.
The switch's straight tangent would be off once the switch settled into it's fudged home. This will produce slight errors from plan and a slight kink at each switch join (1.25 deg).


If designing a plan using 8ft curve sections with the joins perpendicular to a wall etc. and having a switch's straight running parallel to the wall, the straight will kick away from the wall because of the lesser angle of 20 deg being forced where it should be the curve's 22.5 degree (would probably fudge into a 'straight' error of 1.25 degrees or about 12mm at other end of switch).

So watch out for that if you like to get things looking perfect as planned!
Getting pedantic but I always notice these 'non parallel errors' which seem to be common place.

To avoid this error when using '8ft' 2400mm dia curves, set the switch join 26mm off from the perpendicular of the approach curve's center point.
Of course it may not matter, depends on plan. This is for a theoretical '8ft' circle track.
I hope I got that right...

Andrew

 

[Garratt]

Yeah Ted, good demo in practice. I have none to play with just maths.
The open join is due to the turnout having lesser curve angle of 20 degrees forced into where the 8ft curve section is 22.5 degrees.
The turnout looks to be a little longer too which alters things in the rest of the circle possibly making the joins open up on the inside rail a little.
You can't trust AnyRail because their AristoCraft turnout's and curve's dimensions are to perfect inches rather than the actual metric size. Good software otherwise.
You would think in this precision age of computers all should be perfect but 'BS in' equates to 'BS out'!
Perhaps we should tell AnyRail but in my experience they probably won't bother fixing it. All their track is probably incorrect.

Andrew