i would like some info on dubbleslip turnouts. i am thinking of putting one in my yard. i think its the only way i can get one end of the yard to work because of lack of space .
so how good do they work ? because its going to be used to connect my main and 2 AD tracks with the leads for the class tracks and if they are not reliable i dont want to to put it in . i am counting on this one turnout to run that one end of the yard. it will be the only way to get to one AD track and the class tracks on that end of the yard.
so any input you may have is appreciated thank you in advance [:D]
I cannot personally attest to the reliability of the double slip turnout since I have none on my current layout. However, I am planning on building a new layout this fall and winter, and I stopped by my local hobby shop yesterday to run some ideas by one of the guys who works there. H e saw that I had placed #6 turnouts back-to-back where the mainline and the ends of the yard connect. His suggestion was to eliminate the back-to-back turnouts in favor of a double slip turnout at each location.
He said that steam engines in particular would have far less chance of derailing with such a setup and swears by them on his own layout. Walthers Shinihara supposedly makes excellent double slips in Code 83 for about $45 to $50 each. Easily powered by Tortoises.
The double slip turnout is also shorter in length than back-to-back turnouts, saving valuable, if not crucial, real estate on the layout.
Personally, I’ve always felt that the double slip has gotten something of a bad reputation among modelers. There seems to be a certain amount of fear and loathing associated with it. I think they are really cool.
The key indication that one may be called for is the phrase “lack of space”. That is what they are for, tight situations.
Mechanically and qualitywise, the Walthers / Shinohara should be just fine. Peco may also make one.
Logically speaking, the double slip takes a little getting used to. It really is like two switches on top of each other. Instead of having 4 points, it has 8. This adds to the confusion, and is probably why it is sometimes known as a “puzzle switch”. It requires 2 motors or ground throws to work it.
The key to understanding it’s operation is realizing that there are 4 distinct paths through it. These are represented by the 4 combinations of the 2 machines controlling the points. You have to set the entry and exit for the path you want.
Personally, I think more derailments are caused by confusion and operator error, than by the mechanics of the switch.[swg]
We have two Peco double-slip turnouts on our HO scale club layout and have had no problems with either one of them; and one is on the mainline where one track crosses another at a 12 degree angle.
I bought a Peco three way about a month ago because on an industrial switching section I ran out of space. I also have two Peco curved turnouts on my layout.
The doubleslip is very reliable, more so than the Atlas snap switches. The curved turnouts are a little trickier as they require slower speeds and an easement. But I have no complaints about any of my special turnouts. They allowed me to accomplish what I wanted in a limited amount of space.
How prototypical are the double-slips or three ways? I assume they exist in tight spaces but are relatively rare.
I have a #6 double slip at the throat of my yard and have no trouble at all. I spent a lot of time putting it in and making sure it worked right. I also have bi-polar lights on all four leads and you need to be sure that the green lights are on the paths that you want to go. The lights are wired in series with the tortise machines so they are accurate.
I have 14 curved turnouts (32/28 min and two 36/32) and have no trouble with them also, but then I spent a lot of time on track-laying as I don’t want to go back and do it again.
The old Twin City MRRC had a passenger terminal with 2 or 3 Shinohara double slip switches in the lead ladder. They worked fine. The heavy club traffic did wear down plastic in the frogs after a couple of years and a ‘rebuild’ was in order(using metal filled epoxy). I suspect that the heavy brass passenger cars pounded the frogs. After the ‘rebuild’ they perfomed with no problems.
Note in the prototype photo the double crossovers that have double slips for all the turnouts.
And the double slip at the front that doesn’t go anywhre!
I have a pair of double slips (Peco code 100) on my layout and only one car gives problems. I get more problems with a plain crossing.
