I have heard of several others trying to make those “Narrow Radius” switches into something else of a wider radius. None were reporting any success, after a great many hours of “Farting around”. It takes more than just a change of frog, or frog angle to properly produce a "Wider angle " switch (Turnout).
Building a proper, well engineered switch takes a bit of research, and building one from scratch, that is durable and long lasting (Maintenance free) is an art that few accomplish. It’s the durability over the long term that seems to be the loosing battle, or just the need of continuous maintenance.
Even with the poor engineering of the Aristo wide radius switches, basically they do stand the test of time, if you get the guard rails replaced, or put into gauge, and replace the throw bars, which usually are the first part to go. The frog was actually not the fault causing most problems.
I have, in continuous service, numerous WR Aristo switches that after upgrading have been in continuous service for almost 25 years, or more. BUT; to try to make a narrow radius one into something that it isn’t; seems like a waste of time…BUT…If you manage, and are successful…WELL DONE…I congratulate you, whole heartedly…
It looks like the latest “Piko” switches are the replacements to try for a “Wide radius” switch. I have 4 of them here, just waiting for an opportunity to show their stuff…they do look favourable, but an actual test in true operations is needed for me to say anything else about them.
Fred Mills