How many folks out there are using either 45 or 90 degree cross over pieces in their layouts? I am curious how others are using them. I find that these pieces allow for quite a bit of flexibility with layouts.
I had a Lionel Trestle set providing a flyover/overpass above two sections of parallel track on my layout. The grade ended up being steeper than I cared to have for my trains for several reasons. So I removed the grade and added two 45 degree crossover pieces to accompli***he same thing in a flat layout format.
There are a total of three 45 degree and one 90 degree cross over pieces in the layout.
My layout has three independent loops. Two of the 45 degree crossovers allow two of these loops to pass through each other. This allow both loops to access the third loop via turnouts so trains can reverse, cross between loops, or even allow the entire layout to be one big loop with many different routing options.
To create the two idependent loops with the 45 degree crossovers I had to unsolder and insulate the metal contact strips for the middle rails underneath the cross overs, so they middle rails would be electrically isolated from each other.
a crossover is a connection between parallel tracks. I believe you are referring to a crossing or diamond. I’m using 2 crossovers in my current layout but as of yet, no crossings. Crossings, btw, make useful venues for staging collisions.
Probably the same thing. Lionel’s catalog calls them “crossovers”.
As to the collisions… This is where some good block control comes into play. Block signals too.
With two trains running through a crossing you can set up a block before the crossings so that either one or each train has to stop. Using a momentary closed (normally open) contact switch you can send the train through the crossing when safe and once through it will pick up the power on the other side.
Putting a SPDT switch in with the momentary contact should allow one to create a by-pass to the block setup for times you are only running one train across all crossings. This way the train wouldn’t stop all the time and one wouldn’t have to use the momentary contact switch.
Historical note:
Crossings and junctions have helped cause the birth of towns. Manassas came into being in 1852 at the junction of the Manassas Gap and Orange & Alexandria railroads. These linked northern Virginia and D.C. with the Shenandoah Valley and central Virginia. This junction was also one reason Bull Run was of strategic importance during the Civil War.
I run O-27 tube track for the most part. I four primary loops around the layout. i use 4 45degree crossovers at one end of the layout to get the loops around.
At the other end i use a Ross double crossover for one of the mainlines to get onto the other set of mainlines.
I also use 2 90 degree crossovers that allow some spurs off of switches to get into an Atlas Turntable.
Complex routing and soon to be complete with pictures.
Diamonds allow you to get more running track in a given area. For instance, I use a Ross 45 for two reversing loops to cross each other. Saves a lot of space and creates variety in the route. BTW – at least for Ross, the two tracks in the diamond are electrically isolated from each other.
I have one 45 degree, Atlas. I will try to get a photo sometime, but I don’t have access to the digital camera at this time. But I like it, and the clickity-clack when 6 wheel passenger trucks go over it sounds neat.