Interchange tracks seem to be the latest rage in model railroading, mostly N and HO, but some 3-rail operators.
This afternoon I decided to add an interchange track to my plans. Unlike most interchange tracks that I’ve read about, this one will be an interchange between the same railroad, the Santa Fe, which interchanges with itself at Belen.
Most folks interchange with other railroads as this gives them an excuse to purchase motive power that is of a different road.
Interchange tracks add visual interest as well as providing terrific switching opportunities. They can be modest in size and still be effective. Also, interchange tracks give the illusion of vast spaces and also give you an excuse to add a crossing.
dave vergun
Note: you only need those exuses if you are a scale modeler. Those of us who like to buy motive power because we like how it looks don’t need the excuse [;)][:D]
Tony
Well guys, my layout will have a lot of interchange going on, but there no special tracks, as the setting is more urban. I will have parts of the BNSF, CP and UP represented, each with some yard trackage. Trains of cars to be interchanged will be a part of the regular traffic on the mainline, just like the prototype that I’m modeling.[swg]
What is an interchange track? What does it look like? What does it do?
Let’s assume you have two tracks.
Track one is owned by the CSX.
Track two is owned by the NS.
Track one and track two may or may not cross.
If a train on CSX wants to get on the tracks owned by NS it is put on the interchange track that connects the CSX track and the NS track. The length of the interchange track varies, but the control of the interchange track is sometimes very important. Why? Because now one system has control over the other system and they love pushing their competition around a little bit.
This sounds like a good place to put in a plug for Kalmbach’s Track Planning For Realistic Operation, not that it needs a plug, but because this is just one of many topics covered. I love that book, and have refered to it often. If you buy a copy, it will change the way you see trains, and may change the way you play with them too.[swg]