I am wanting to build a double crossover on my N scale layout I am in the process of building and need to know what size turnouts will work the best. I am planning on using Atlas turnouts and would like to have the metal frogs, What turnouts would you suggest? Thanks, Mike
Can’t you just buy a drop in? Not in Atlas, but I know they are made.
Maybe…I didn’t know you could get one to ‘‘drop in’’. Where can I find out more about it? Mike
EVERY TURNOUT has potentil for derailments. A DOUBLE CROSSOVER has 4 Turnouts, plus a Crossover presenting electrical problems for modelers.
RR’s avoided them except for 5 mph low speed Station ‘throats’ (2) they’re EXPENSIVE. 4 urnouts + 4 switch macines to power and potential crossover shorting adds up. I bought a Shinohara made dble-crossover for $60, powered by 4 RIX twin coils with DPDT contacts ($48) + a ‘Snapper’ and mounting a momentary push button to throw.
Using Tortoise’s would have cost even more but would have allowed conventional SPDT activation. Atlas track components are cheaper but less reliable, and don’t give you power routing nor electrical contacts .
So I have a $100 switch that will give me 10 times the problems - just so I can back off an engine from it’s consist a-la Passeger operation. Ah, the joys of modelling the prototype.
I also may have to revise this to more expensive ‘stall motor’ machines since activating 4 twin coils simultaneously tales high amp power, and manual operation (caboose ground throws)are/is too slow (Throwing 4 turnouts).
I believe the only “drop in” is Kato Unitrak, which costs an arm and a leg, and is difficult to mate to other brands.
The only Atlas N track with metal frogs is their code 55 line, which in my opinion is excellent in terms of appearance, operation and economy.
If you’re sticking with c-80, then Peco Electrofrogs would be your choice, but I’m not sure how you would wire them in a double crossover situation. You’d probably want the medium radius (about a #6). You’ll have to check which crossing track would work with them.
Personally, I avoid such complex track arrangements, as they are usually more trouble than they’re worth, in terms of cost, complexity, and function. Sometimes they’re unavoidable, but the real railroads didn’t like things like that much either…
Lee
No, Shinohara makes (or made in the recent past) one too. I bought a Shinohara three way turnout in code 70 about a year ago and the LHS had a Shinohara code 70 double crossover in the case next to it. It’s still there at Hobby Town USA in Indianapolis, Indiana (82nd st.) if you want it. Just saw it today. Any Hobbytown USA will do a store to store transfer for you. Like others have said though, they can be troublesome!
Actually, Kato’s double crossover, like any other unitrack piece, mates very easily with other brands of track.
But it looks like crap doing it![:D]
Lee
Actually, not at all [:)]
I suppose it depends if you want your track to be a part of the scenery, or if you’re happy with fat ties, tall rails and plastic ballast…
I prefer track that looks like track…
Lee
Different strokes; I like it just fine.