I’d like to lay gauntlet tracks over a 24" causeway using code 83. I 'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has had experience with gauntlet tracks. Thanks!
Algoma Northern [:)]
What exactly is a Gauntlet track, I have not heard that expression before?
By the way, welcome to the forum, hopefully you will get lots of useful responses from folks on this list. There is a lot of combined knowledge here, even if I don’t have any on this particular topic[D)]
Here are some links to an explanation and a picture:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railroad_switch
http://community.webshots.com/photo/21407479/21408344mgAUFPpzaa
I don’t know of anyone who’s built one although it can’t be any harder than building a turnout - need to build two frogs but no points needed. I hadn’t thought about gauntlets for some time but I’ll have to see if I might work one into my track plan. Basically, a neat way for two track routes to occupy the same right-of-way space for a limited distance. Could create some interesting operational scenarios!
I typed “Gauntlet Track” into the search field of www.Dogpile.com and got two pages of references. Looks like there have been some Trains.com threads on the subject also.
Chuck
It’s gantlet, not gauntlet. They work very well but make sure you only run one thru at a time or BOOM.
Ron K.
Ancient history - one of the MR staffers had one in HO back in the 50’s or early 60’s, and made the cover with it.
Two places where gantlet tracks are not unusual:
- Across a bridge that was built for 1880 loads and would be unable to handle those that were normal a few decades later. The Poughkeepsie Bridge across the Hudson River was originally double track, but was rebuilt with a gantlet to handle 2-10-2’s.
- To make it possible to run high cars through a low, arched, overpass or tunnel. PRR moved a track into the center of one of the Gallatzin tunnels for this reason (then rebuilt the whole business and lowered the tunnel floor to accept high cars.)
It can be gantlet (US) or gauntlet (British, Australian).
Slightly OT
I can see where running a train through a gauntlet could be dangerous, especially in the days before radio. Is this where the term “run the gauntlet” comes from? I did a Google search and found a claim that it came from a German or Austrian military punishment where the “runner” went between two lines of soldiers and was beaten with gloves (gauntlets) or sticks. The same source said that some American Indians used a similar form of punishment.
Does anyone have any idea which came first? The railroad term for where two tracks share the same space or the phrase “run the gauntlet”?
According to Wikipedia the gauntlet track derived its name from the term running the gaunlet. (running between two confining rows of adversaries)
I think it would look interesting on a model railraod. Probably more interesting to modelers than average viewers. (they don’t apreciate the complexities sometimes [8D] )