I laid out a double crossing using #6 Atlas switches, a 19 degree crossing and 2 2" pieces from an Atlas small track assortment. It seems to line up quite well but the guy at my LHS told me it does not work. Any idea if the way I described works? it’s 3" between centers.
thanks in advance
captwilb
Your method is correct. At least it is what is in the Atlas Custom Line book I have. Should give you 3"centers.
Go for it. I’d try my equipment through it a few times before I secured the adjacent tracks down. (Don’t glue the turnouts down, just in case you have to repair or change one later.) If you use a textured paint near the color of your ballast on the roadbed under your turnouts, you do not have to use much ballast around them to still look good.
Have fun,
Richard
Good evening Capt.
That is exactly how it is shown in the old copy of Atlas Custom line Layouts that I have. Mine is a second edition from 1971. I’ve had this book for years. It’s almost like a bible for me. I’ve used Atlas track my entire modeling years, (about 40). It shows just about any configuration you can think of.
Have Fun!
I’ve worn the cover off of two copies. The whole book is a treasure trove of ideas that many just write off as Atlas Marketing to sell more track.
If we are talking something like this, it’s closer to 3 3/4 in centers and is about 30 in across. Nice thing is that you get about 10 in of straight track in the center of the S curve.
I thought it would work…thanks a lot for the help
Nothing beats laying out the track and testing it with some rolling stock.
Sierra, Texas
You comments on the Atlas book prompted me to dig out my copies of Six HO Railroads You Can Build and the Custom-Line King Size Plan Book (an 11x17 format). These were written by John Aemstrong and Thaddeus Stepek. They ARE much more than track plans for selling Atlas Track. Besides the creative track designs (ranging from shelf switching layouts to multi-level room size), the books are a “how to” manual including cutting guides for benchwork and cookie-cutter tops, wiring diagrams, laying trackwork, building scenery and construction techniques.
PS I noticed that the King Size Plan Book is available through Amazon if anyone is interested.
Alan
Hi,
If the “X” fits and allows you to have parallel mains, it is just fine. On my last layout, my proudest piece of trackage was just what you described. I do not recall the “X” degree piece however.
Once I had it all lined up and tested, I ballasted it down securely and the thing lasted 13 years! Believe it or not, I do not recall any derailment in that area other than operator error (me).
I also wired the turnouts in pairs to a single controller, so that one push of a button turned both turnouts to line them up.
Trust me, if you get the tracks lined up right, it works like a charm.
Incidentally, that is a double crossover, not a double crossing.
Rich
I forget which of the Custom-Line plan books I have, but the one I have has several pages in the back with various arrangments of track, with crossings, turnouts, etc, to give you a pretty good idea of what can be built with the available components.
–Randy
Captwilb,
I will second Mobilman44 and tell you it does work. I have one on my layout and I too wired the switch machines to work in pairs. I ran it using DC and when switching over to DCC had no issues whatsoever. It’s a pretty cool thing to have and use. I also agree with everyone else about the Atlas books. Very handy and informative. I use a combination of flex track and sectional (all Atlas) and I’d have to say if you follow the diagrams, it’s fool proof.
I’m curious, did the LHS guy say it why it wouldn’t work?
Have fun!
sorry for the blank post…the guy at my LHS (Willis Hobbies, usually very helpful) told me I would never get the geometry right with switches and pieces of track. I thought that was odd since I have seen so many before in pictures. it looked OK laid out but I wanted to check with the experts here…and sure enough…
I never had a copy of the Atlas material that was mentioned but sounds like I should. thanks to all the responses, very helpful.