I’m in the process of laying track (Kato Unitrack) for my second layout, which incorprates some more advanced elements than my inital effort. I have a triple line section that will use a pair of Kato double crossovers to allow trains to access any of the three tracks in either direction. Initially my thought was that I’d have the two crossovers directly connected so that a train could move from track 1 to track 3 in one swoop, like in a yard. But my quesiton is this: is there any operational advantage to putting some distance between the crossovers? For example, have the train cross over from track 1 to track 2, move on for a foot or two of straight track, and then do the crossover from track 2 to 3? I guess I’m wondering if the two immediately connected crossovers would be at a bit higher risk for derailment then the option of doing one crossover action, then stablizing on some straight track, and then doing the second crossover action. Thanks for any advice!
The “easiest thing” to plan for = To avoid S-Curves, and “consecutive” S-Curves! Crossovers, in of themselves, already lend themselves to be a form of an S-Curve.
For example: How close are layout curves to the Crossover itself? How long are the mainline straight sections where the Crossover is to be located?
Sounds like to me the ideal place for double slip turnouts.
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
If only Kato offered a double slip in their Unitrack range. However Tomix does (N-PXL140-15 in left & right motor styles) and the true use of Kato’s 20-045 Snap-Track® Conversion Track is revealed.
John Armstrong’s Track Planning for Realistic Operation is a good read. He discusses S-curves and their evils and where they lurk and worth reviewing. Basically he recommends having a section of straight track between the two legs of any S-'s - I forget the length - maybe it was as long as the wheel base of the longest car which will be traveling through it.