Anyone used multiple crossings?

Paul,

This was quickly drawn on SCARM using AtlasO track as an example on a 4' x 8' baseboard. There should be no reason for any dead spots in this configuration with any manufacturers track if properly wired. Any dead spot would be the product of the spacing of a locomotives pickups.

Stewart,

That captures it well. If I can pull this off, the 4-crossings will be at one end of an existing island layout; the two outer mainlines will then extend and crossings will be installed at that extension. The lines will then circumnavigate around the basement perimeter and travel thru the crossings and around the island. Originally, I thought I'd trim the crossings so that I could make 4-5" on center rail spacing, but in hindsight that would create long patches of dead spots.

Thanks.

Check this utube video for a similar track plan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuREW16sWtQ

I have used the ATLASO 30 and 45 degree crossovers in a maximum combinations of three 30 degree crossovers in one location and three 45 degree crossovers in another location, crossovers are connected back to back to form in a line form, this forms one track that crosses three parallel tracks, all outside rails are common, the center track excluding the diamond are wire lead soldered for connections to spdt center off toggle switches. I have also use three Ross 11 degree wyes in combinations to go from two main tracks to two main tracks and a internal passing siding track, by reversing two of the wyes. Ross outside rails also common for wiring, the center rail (hot) is solder wired to a spdt center off toggle switchs, wye points are powered by Tortouse under table mounted motors

 ...the 4-crossings will be at one end of an existing island layout; the two outer mainlines will then extend and crossings will be installed at that extension. The lines will then circumnavigate around the basement perimeter and travel thru the crossings and around the island

I this similar to what you have in mind?

Originally, I thought I'd trim the crossings so that I could make 4-5" on center rail spacing, but in hindsight that would create long patches of dead spots.

I'm assuming that this is a 3 rail layout, so you should never have a dead spot unless the electrical/track work is bad or the engine stalls on the crossings due to pickup spacing. If you are running command control, just add drops to the diamond between each crossing, represented by the red lines below. If you are running in conventional, there are some fun and creative ways to wire up the diamond. 

Stewart, that is pretty much the plan, with the right wing going through a wall, but your diagram captures the connections.

With Ross Crossings, theirs a center diamond in the middle of crossings that is powered, it's the outer rail section that creates the dead spots.

John, I am not familiar with Atlas crossings, from your description the outer rails can be powered? If you can post a picture I'd appreciate it. I can always go with Atlas if that works better.

Dave, thanks for the video, that's pretty neat.

Paul, 

I scanned in the AtlasO 45 degree crossover and will e-mail it to you with some accompanying text, I checked you member information, no e-mail address, you can send your e-mail address to ochab@comcast.net.

John

Originally Posted by Paul Kallus:

Paul,

Brainstorming here...

Do all of your locomotives or just a couple encounter a dead spot? Do all of your locomotives have 2 pickups?

Are your outside rails wired? It could be just a matter of adding a couple of neutral drops to get the locomotives through the crossing. (See the picture below.) Current flows from the center rail to the locomotive pickup, through the electronics/motors, and out through the wheels of the locomotive to the outer rail.  

I don't have a Ross 45 degree crossing, so I am basing this off of a picture from their website. In the picture they provide, I do not see a center rail. Is this the crossing you are referring to? A locomotive will stall out on this crossing if it has only 1 pickup.

Stewart,

The Ross crossings I currently have in my existing layout have a metal diamond in the middle, see picture. The only engines that currently have a problem are my PS2.0 0-4-0 and PS2.0 trolley, but the batteries are dead, and they have a very short pickup roller spacing. Tom at Ross switches said it'd be the outer rail connections that could lead to dead spots if I space them too close together.

John, will send e-mail.

Thanks, all.

Unrelated wild thought.....has anybody seen a prototype crossing, or photo,  where THREE tracks cross at the same point?  (the usual "crossover" is for two tracks)

Paul,

I've figured out that the dead spots you are referring to are located in the diamond where the outside rails are plastic. I call these dead zones. A locomotive that stalls out between two crossings will do so because it has found both dead zones simultaneously. 

Don't give up on the Ross crossings yet! (That's coming from an AtlasO guy, lol.) I would recommend setting up a test section with 2 crossings. If your locomotives are able to pass through the two crossings without stalling, then you are good to go. If not, simply increase (or decrease) the spacing between the two crossings.

I don't think real railroads would want to do that. Too complicated of frogs. One track would have to move over just a little to make 3 normal diamonds. They can still be close, just not on top of each other.

Just wondered, under the rule, "There is a prototype for everything", and with

consideration of the spaghetti junction that once was the coming together of three

different gauges of streetcar lines in Cincinnati.

Stewart,

If I can get the new benchwork done in 2015 I'll give the multiple crossings a try. If it doesn't work, then I'll just go with the outer mainline around the basement perimeter via through one crossing.

Crossings are great fun. In the picture I posted above there's an inner loop and an outer loop that share that crossing and another one; and I have turnouts that can switch trains from one loop to another, and turnouts to connect to the mainlines. Having people control different trains with remotes makes things more interesting, such as one has to give the right-of-way to another, slow down, speed up.

Thanks.

We installed the 22.5 (think it is) degree crossing with a relay. It is the rubber tire units that messed us up. MTH FT's would stall in one direction and a new Lionel FM as well.

(Really dislike rubber tires and plastic idler wheels/axles... Need a Graemlin for Just Say No To Rubber Tires!)

When leavingtracks(Alan the Ad Guy) got his new bridge, I wondered why the rails were over the street deck. I found photos of the Chicago EL. They have an intersection of a 2 tracks crossing two tracks with switches.