Need to have all three lines have the ability to switch between any line in either direction. I realize that the second option would use a little less space. I do not want to use a Peco double slip since the lines will not be parallel without bending the flex track. What one do you think would be a better option Top or Bottom? Open to any other options as well and I will only use Peco switches and crossovers.
Thnaks………
Top one utilizes Peco SL-88 and SL-89’s
Bottom one utilizes Peco SL-88’s and SL-89’s with SL-93’s
Not sure what is happening, my original post had a picture in it of the 2 setups. Why it is not there now or better yet not sure what to do… Mod had to approve the po
That’s not much info, a drawing would help. I use a double crossover to go between my two mainlines with straight track.
Scale and physical layout size would help too. My crystal ball crapped out many years ago.
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
I have a series of four Peco Unifrog Double Slips to control the routes on my 4-track mainline. The four mainline tracks are 2-inch on center and the lines are parallel. No need to bend the flex track. How far apart are your mainlines?
Rich
Still trying to figure out how to use this community forum, way different then others but a lot more inforamtive. I am still in approval mode so bear with me…
I posted the picture on https://ibb.co/Z2b4b4X
This is my double crossover.
This is homemade from Atlas code 83 turnouts and their crossover. You could make one using Peco turnouts being that you like their track.
I started out with a Shinohara code 83 double crossover and it wouldn’t clear my Rivarossi large flanges without problems. The Rivarossi large flanges would clear all of my Atlas code 83 turnouts so I made my own. Starting out with the Shinohara turnout locked me into 2” track centers causing me to kitbash the Atlas to fit my 2” center mainline. You could do the same using Peco turnouts.
Rich
Thanks to richhotrain giving me detailed instructions on how to post an image.
Welcome to the forum.
“Better” is subjective and it’s impossible to answer without knowing what the rest of the layout looks like and what you are trying to accomplish. The option with only turnouts has fewer frogs overall and might be slightly more reliable. As you noted, the option with crossings will be shorter. Since the PECO Code 100 double-slips have the same diverging angle as the “Large” turnouts, I don’t believe that you would need to “bend” any flextrack. Double-slips can be a little more finicky and you may want to avoid them for that reason. But I think that they do work in your configuration.
If you provide more information about what you are trying to do and the rest of the layout, folks may have more pertinent comments and suggestions.
Best of luck with your layout.
Byron
Is the bottom design truly shorter?
In option 2, the crossovers from the blue track don’t need to be doubles.
Byron’s plan with the double slip switches would be option 3. While more complex, the double slip switch option eliminates the reverse curves that you get in either option 1 or 2 when moving across all three tracks. I’ve always considered that you needed the length of your longest wheelbase from truck to truck between the points of adjacent crossover tracks. That would further extend the required length for options 1 or 2.
Ray
We need to know two things.
Is the OP’s track Code 83 or Code 100?
How far apart is the spacing of the mainlines?
I mentioned in an earlier reply that I use Peco Code 83 Unifrog Double Slips to connect between 2-inch on center mainlines. No need to bend any flex track. I operate the double slips with a flip of the finger, taking advantage of the spring loaded point rails. Works like a charm.
Rich
Yes, I was about to say the same thing.
It looks to be that the top option would be cheaper, as you do not need to spend extra money on the crossings for the double crossovers, but if you use a double crossover from the black rail to the green rail, you can save space. I wouldn’t use the bottom option because it uses more turnouts that nessesary.
If it was my railroad I would use a double crossover from black to green and two single crossovers from black to blue.
Hope this was helpful!
Yes the bottom is shorter. Using the Blue Line, turnout to turnout is 90" top one. Bottom one is 75". So 15" smaller.
The Peco double slip are not cheap, especially the code 83!
Gotta agree with you there. I bought 4 from MB Klein for $82 each for the four double slips including shipping, $328 total. But because I took advantage of the spring loaded points, I did not need to purchase switch machines (e.g., Tortoises) and if I simply built crossovers, the Peco Code 83 turnouts cost $25 apiece plus shipping. So, in the end, the double slips proved cheaper for me than other alternatives. And, the double slips are space savers.
Rich
The part numbers he gave in the first post are Code 100.
