Re: Narrow gauge rail sizes and stub turnouts

The free length of the movable stub rail is determined by the number of the frog as the curvature of the free stub rail needs to approximate the curvature of the lead rails to the frog. The smaller the frog number, the sharper the curve and the harder it is to throw the switch(bend the rails). I have a #6 frog on my shop lead and use a "Star" one tie machine to bend the 60 lb. rails. I also have 3-way stand machine that was designed for 3-way stub switches, probably in the days of 60 to 70 pound rail. My 60 lb. rail was rolled in 1881 & 1882 and would have been standard gauge mainline stuff. The standard gauge lines were still using stubs then, but with switch machines.

I don't think you could effectively bend a #6 stub rail with a harp stand on more than 40 or maybe 45 lb. rail.
Dave