Single Crossovers built of Peco larges

railandsail · August 17, 2019, 6:32pm

I was rummaging thru my stowage trailer today and found a whole new bunch of Peco large radius turnouts. So now I have more than I need. I went back and started looking at areas where I might insert the large radius Pecos for the mediums,…found a few.

Got to thinking about substituting two large radius Pecos for the single crossover Shinoharas? Looks pretty good visually, and would save me from replacing any metal throw bars on those older Shinoharas. Has anyone had personal experience with such a crossover using the large radius Pecos??

I realize the diverging tracks on these Pecos and the Shinoharas are different, but in this larger radius configuration it does not look to be a problem?

rrinker · August 19, 2019, 6:48pm

The Pecos have a curve through them, so making a crossover makes a bad S curve, even worse than two turnouts with straight diverging legs.

–Randy

railandsail · August 19, 2019, 8:10pm

I do understand that they make an S turn, but in these large sizes it does not appear to be bad at all??

cuyama · August 19, 2019, 9:54pm

Theoretically true, but the diverging curves are pretty gentle. Hundreds (likely thousands) of layouts have used the PECO HO Code 75/100 Larges as crossovers successfully.

railandsail · August 19, 2019, 10:22pm

thanks Cuyama

I also saw this, that would appear to reinforce the idea of using the large size Pecos,…

The Peco large cheats on length because the diverging road continues to curve beyond the frog before straightening and because it has a varying radius through the turnout, achieving a similar overall divergence in a shorter overall length by using a different design philosophy than standard US prototype practices scaled down.

Even if the Peco large rates only as a bare #7, the overall turnout length is markedly shorter than any of the other brand #6’s, is not much longer than the Peco #6, and is way shorter than the #8, but still gives a gentler swing than the #6’s.

In a multi-track yard this can give you a lot more siding length that is just as friendly to long-wheelbase rolling stock as some of the lengthier #6 track options. This could be a good thing for any modellers facing space constraints in a yard area,

I also like the idea that the spring loaded Pecos maintain a better rail to rail contact than do the Shinoharas which I understand have some consistancy problems here.

I have also decided to utilize the Peco PL-10 Turnout Motors (Solenoids) which will fit nicely in the round hole drilled into the 3/4" plywood deck topped with 1/4" cork.

rrinker · August 19, 2019, 11:51pm

Well, lots of things work well in practice even when the theory sometimes says they won’t [:D]

Large Radius are pretty large, so probably fine for most stuff that should be running on a layout that size. Just don’t try to fudge anything by adding say a short piece of flex between the two.

I mean - regular #6’s in a crossover aren’t supposed to work for larger steam locos and long cars, but I had no problems with up to a 4-8-4, and full length 85’ Walthers cars with diaphragms. I think that was the biggest loco we had back then - might have had one of the PRR I1’s as well, although I don’t remember if the BLI model has all drivers flanged. Wasn’t my loco.

–Randy

richhotrain · August 20, 2019, 4:14am

The solution here is obvious. You already have the large radius Pecos. Set up a pair on the workbench and try it out for yourself. Then, come back and relate your experience to us.

Rich

Water_Level_Route · August 20, 2019, 5:44am

For what its worth, I have crossovers on my layout made of Peco medium radius turnouts. My 4-8-4, 4-8-2, and 2-8-2’s all roll right through. 85’ Walthers passengers cars do as well. All at speed too. Should be no issue with the large radius ones.

railandsail · August 21, 2019, 10:22am

Thanks for those reassurances. Couple of reasons I would like to use the Pecos rather than Shinoharas

Don’t have to fool around with those solid connected throw bars between the rails.
I like the Peco spring action.
I have decided I can power-up more turnouts than I originally intended,…and with the Peco turnout solenoid. Since I am going to include 1/4" cork roadbed under most of my track, and its sitting on 3/4" plywood, that gives me a nice 1" deep hole to set the Peco solenoid in without any projection under the deck.

I utilized CD discharge to power atlas turnouts on my first layout and those worked just fine. And the Pecos appear to have a more robust solenoid than the Atlas ones.