Fastrack double cross over

I gave it a try in RR-Track software.

It just doesn't look like it will fit.

I believe the problem is on the crossover the 22.5 degrees is the angle between the two straights, and the 22.5 degrees of the turnout are that the curve on the O72 turnout is 22.5 degrees of a circle. 

This makes the curve of the turnout end at 22.5 degrees from the horizontal, but the crossover is 11.25 degrees from the horizontal. 

If the O72 turnout were 11.25 degrees of a circle it would work.

But an O72 turnout is probably too sharp to clear the straight in 11.25 degrees. Now if they made an O90-something in 11.25 degrees turnout it might work

I did have some luck on RR-Track using a 45 degree crossover. It gives me 22.5 degrees from the horizontal.

It requires a 5" straight and a 1.75" straight to join the turnouts on each side. I could get the cross and turnout to auto join nearest track, so while it looks like it "might" work, it might have some small gaps. Also, it looks like the parallel tracks would need to be 9" to 10" apart.

072 Turnouts -  According to RRTrack, there will be a .08" [1/16"] gap on both sides, as shown.  The center-to-center between the parallel lines is 10.36" [10-3/8"].

Of course the other way of resolving this would be two consecutive single crossovers, left and right. 

Using O-72 FT switches and a single fitter straight piece (comes with O-72 switch package) between the curved legs, the overall length of the single crossover is 28.82" with a center-to-center distance of 6" between tracks.  The overall minimum length to create a double crossover in this manner would be 57.64" (57-5/8"). 

That eats up a lot of track length, but it avoids the cost of a crossover piece, allows the use of O-72 switches, and keeps the parallel tracks at a reasonable spacing.

Just an option, FWIW...

KD 

I saw a forum about using 072 switches to get a 5.5" center, would it work with 060 switches, suppose to be 22.5 degree angle for both?

A single crossover with 060 will get you closer to 6" centers.

Not sure why you need the crossover.  5.5" track centers, no offset.  Takes a bit more real-estate.

The previous two posts show FasTrack O72 turnouts without the required 1.375" sections. (unless they are included in the rendering by that software)

If they were put in, wouldn't that put the centers at 6"?

  --Joe

Right you are, didn't notice they weren't in there.  I actually have that configuration put together with them, and the centers are 6.5", sorry for the omission.

Dear Friend:

Hi! The 2 curves in this Double Crossover are O72?

Yes, they are.

Thank you very much, Dave!

What's not shown in the photo are the "fitter" pieces that come with some 22 cross tracks, depending on brand. It also has some reverse (S) curves that could cause problems with some equipment at higher speeds and long trains. Probably not an issue for most of those using FasTrack.