Walthers track

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I was looking at the Walthers catalog at their code 83 track. Did I miss something or do they not make a shallow degree (around 12 degree) crossing to use with a turnout so that the diverging track can cross a parallel track? …similar to the footprint of a double slip

2

Walthers does not have any ‘shallow’ angle crossings(it would be a 9.5 degree for a #6). They do have #6 & #8 ‘slip switches’ though.

  • Atlas has a 12.5 degree crossing in code 83(matches their #4.5 turnouts).
  • Peco has a code 83 #6 crossing(9.5 degrees) that should match #6 turnouts.

Jim Bernier

3

I knew that Atlas & Peco both had them…it just makes me wonder why Walthers does’t make one…or if that particular piece of track is not a widely used item

4

The last phrase, “that particular piece of track is not a widely used item” is likely accurate. The average total number of crossings per layout (from plans I have seen for layouts in Model Railroader) is probably around one. Add to the limited demand the fact that like large number turnouts, the smaller the crossing angle, the tighter the build tolerances must be for satisfactory operation. Atlas small angle crossings have a reputation as derailment sites without some “tuning”. And, like large number turnouts, small angle crossings take a lot of space.

just my thoughts and experiences

Fred W