Chuck Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 I've been thinking about building a indoor yard for some rolling stock. I like using the #6 switches but they're getting tougher to find and climbing up in price. The USA #6 is now $144.95 + $9 shipping from Ro. I have nothing at all against ordering from Charles Ro Supply as I do so regularly. Dealers may be a few $$$ cheaper but way I look at it is Ro can use any extra $$$ as they keep new USA Trains coming for us. So I decided to order a LGB 18150 R5 switch from Reindeer Pass as the price of $109.89 + shipping was appealing. True it's a manual switch and my indoor layout is elevated so it'll work out just fine. I searched various forums and You Tube for the R5 info and reviews but there isn't much. Basically I wanted to know how they compare to a #6 design. Technically the LGB R5 designation translates into say like a 15.5' diameter curve on diverging or 7.5' radius. They showed radius being centerline and diameter being the outside rail or something. That's cool because I always thought that a #6 was a 16' diameter switch...Maybe I'm wrong? Here's a few pics of the LGB R5. Nice as I'm impressed! Closeup of frog..I do like the plastic design maybe Delrin? Stainless contacts where wheel flanges ride to conduct electric is a great idea. Dead frog spot is tiny. Underside showing power routing/ jumping with heavy brass rods spot welded along with use of big beefy stainless tie retaining screws looks excellent! Here it is lying upside down ontop a Aristo #6. There's the main difference. And now I remember from my O Gauge days and using Ross Switches. A number switch has diverging rails that are straight whereas a radius switch has a diverging rail that remain curved. Big deal as I can deal with that. Here's comparing the actual curved part of the diverging rail. This is comparing outer rail radius. That radius between a #6 and LGB R5 is just about exactly the same. In closing I'd say the 2 switches are basically the same thing. Be interesting to see how my USA Big Boy negotiates a R5...but alas it's all packed away as believe it or not I plan on packing everything up and moving west in a few months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blid Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 In my post from February 23 2014 "Marklin Track", http://In my post from February 23 2014, http://www.gscaletrainforum.com/index.php?/topic/184-marklin-track/&tab=comments#comment-1273 , I warned about a potential problem with MTH power pickup shoes and LGB R5 turnouts The engines might get stuck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Posted March 30, 2021 Author Share Posted March 30, 2021 blid...yes I agree with you after trying out a few of the LGB R5 switches. That is USA Trains sliders will "drop" into the LGB frogs and get stuck. What a shame as I did like the looks of the R5 but they're being replaced with the USA #6 switch. Lesson learned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistacabbage Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 Hey Chuck, >>That's cool because I always thought that a #6 was a 16' diameter switch...Maybe I'm wrong? I stopped by Charles Ro in July 2021. I had to play Tetris just to get all the stuff I bought fit in my hatchback!. Among them was a USA Trains left and right #6 switch along with a box of 20 foot curved diameter track. Here are a some pictures of the USA Trains #6 switch on top of a USA Trains 20 foot diameter curve track. It appears that the curve radius on the switch is even greater that 20 feet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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