Crossings for Atlas Custom Line #4 Turnouts???

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Greetings:

First post on this forum. I need to know which size crossings I should use for #4 Atlas Custom Line turnouts and what would the track spacing look like?

I am planning an extension to my current shelf layout and any info would be appreciated.

Jon Frost

NS in HO in 11" x 17" - In Western MA

2

Welcome Jon,

I’m not sure what you mean by crossings? I’m sure I’m missing something, could you elaborate?

Do mean one track crossing another? as in a diamond?

Or a road crossing?

Mike.

3

The Atlas 25° crossing will work with Atlas #4 turnouts to make a double crossover. I do not know the track spacing.

I used a 19° crossing to make my #6 double crossover. I had to do some serious cutting on the turnouts and the crossover to end up with 2” center to center double track mainline. The standard spacing for manufactured double crossovers is 2”. I started out using a code 83 Shinohara Double Crossover and it wouldn’t pass my Rivarossi Articulateds with non RP25 wheel flanges. None of the commercially made code 83 turnouts would pass the large flange wheels without a problem so I made my own using Atlas turnouts and crossover.

https://melvineperry.blogspot.com/2012/06/june-25-2012-my-double-crossover.html

Mel

4

OK, like I said, I’m missing something, my ability to THINK! [(-D] [D)]

Thanks Mel.

5

Hi Jon!

Welcome to the forums! [#welcome]

I’m just curious about what you meant by this:

Did you mean 11’ x 17’?

Cheers!!

Dave

6

The correct crossing for Atlas Custom Line #4 turnouts is an Atlas 12.5 degree crossing.

Take a look at this old thread for a more complete discussion.

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/196606.aspx

Rich

7

The OP does not make it clear what he is building - a double crossover or one track diverging and crossing parrallel track?

#4 Atlas double crossover - 25 degree crossing, twice the frog angle

#4 Atlas divirging over a parrallel track - 12.5 degree crossing, same as the frog angle

#6 Atlas double crossover - 19 degree crossing, twice the frog angle

Sheldon

8

I wasn’t sure either, then when Mel posted about his cross over, last night, I figured I total missed it. But maybe not.

For a cross over, I thought the Atlas CL’s came with a short section you add on the diverging route, but after looking at their web site, I guess not.

Mike.

9

I do agree that the terms ‘crossing’ and ‘crossover’ can be confusing.

A crossing does just that, it crosses a track without the capability for a train to enter or exit the track that it is crossing.

A crossover is a pair of turnouts that connect two parallel tracks as opposed to crossing the tracks.

Rich

10

One of the important features of the Atlas Custom Line track system is that the turnouts make crossovers (single crossovers) @ 2" track centers with no spacer track and no modifications.

The 19 degree and 25 degree crossing will make double crossovers with wider track centers, but again with no spacer tracks.

Years (decades) ago Atlas published a book of track plans which also explained all their track geometry.

Sheldon (the Atlas track fan)

11

They’ve republsihed some of the plan books with different names, but the one I have that has several pages in the back showing all sorts of track arrangements possible with the Custom Line components is “Custom Line Layouts for HO Scale Railroads”. Might get lucky and find a library with a copy, or else find a copy at a train show.

–Randy

12

I captured an Atlas #4 and 25° crossover from their site and worked it up on my CAD and it is 3” center to center.

By cutting them up it looks like one could get it down to 2” centers.

My drawing should be within about a 1/32” of an inch or so for accuracy if the pictures on the Atlas site are accurate.

EDIT:

I was surprised to find out that the Atlas #4 turnout center radiu

13

Amazon has several used copies for sale as of 2/12.

14

[quote user=“RR_Mel”]

I captured an Atlas #4 and 25° crossover from their site and worked it up on my CAD and it is 3” center to center.

By cutting them up it looks like one could get it down to 2” centers.

My drawing should be within about a 1/32” of an inch or so for accuracy if the pictures on the Atlas site are accurate.

EDIT:

I was surprised to find out that the Atlas #4 turnout center radius is 20”. I never checked one until this morning.

15

That increased my minimum radius to 20” instead of the 18” I thought I had. I feel better knowing that my yard turnouts are 20”.

Mel

My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

Bakersfield, California

I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

16

Welcome to the forums!

As Randy mentions, any Atlas track planning book I have ever seen, has a section ln the back with all sorts of combinations. They have several options so that you can have a variety of track spacings between parallel tracks and the needed crossings and length of spacers to give you the desired spacing. A lot of handy ideas in one place.

Good luck,

Richard