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PBracy posted:

i have two fastracks running parallel with each other, would like to be able to switch trains from one track to the other and back when ready. Im looking at 72 degree command control remote switches . I dont want the tracks any far apart then i have to. Thanks , Pete 

FasTrack will set 6" center to center rail by design, like in Puffrbelly's photo above. Can't get it any closer.

I did fabricate a 4-way cross-over which resulted in 8.5" centers. I made that up staggering the curves at the ends to return to 6" centers. Cut the cross roadbed to mate with the switches, modified the electrical connection of the crossover piece to isolate the lines and custom made the center filler on the straights between the switches.

FasTrack_4_way_cross-8.5_inch_centers

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PBracy posted:

i have two fastracks running parallel with each other, would like to be able to switch trains from one track to the other and back when ready. Im looking at 72 degree command control remote switches . I dont want the tracks any far apart then i have to. Thanks , Pete 

Pete;

If you look at the Lionel website, there is a section which covers on line catalogues... the Track and Power catalogue (most recent is 2017) has diagrams of the track pieces needed to make crossovers in various radii. I set up two like Chief Bob shows in O-72 and they are fun in operation. Here is a link to the catalogue:

http://catalogs.lionel.com/16tp/html5/

PUFFRBELLY posted:

You are very welcome.   Glad I could help.   You said that you were new to "O" Gauge.  Have you modeled in any other scales previously? 

No only  o gauge, Had  a train when i was younger, just decided to get back into it after retiring , Funny thing is i have been collecting stuff for 6 yrs now waiting for the right time 

 

And this is an alternative which gives 9 ¾" between centers spacing and uses only stock track pieces:

        IMG_3235

I did this for two sidings but two more track switches and it would be a double-crossover.

 

        IMG_3236

Notice the 1/16" gaps between the switches and the crossing. Doesn't harm function or operation. That is (1) 5" track-piece, (1) 1 ⅜" track-piece and (1) 1 ¾" track-piece.

Lew

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Apples55 posted:
PBracy posted:

i have two fastracks running parallel with each other, would like to be able to switch trains from one track to the other and back when ready. Im looking at 72 degree command control remote switches . I dont want the tracks any far apart then i have to. Thanks , Pete 

Pete;

If you look at the Lionel website, there is a section which covers on line catalogues... the Track and Power catalogue (most recent is 2017) has diagrams of the track pieces needed to make crossovers in various radii. I set up two like Chief Bob shows in O-72 and they are fun in operation. Here is a link to the catalogue:

http://catalogs.lionel.com/16tp/html5/

Is there another combination of pieces for O-72 crossover besides that shown in the Lionel Track and Power catalog? The combo shown in the catalog calls for 16 fitter pieces (1.75 and 1.375) with 8 on each end of the switch track. Wondering how others have handled this - different combo, custom cuts, or using a ton of filler pieces? 

Mooner posted:
Apples55 posted:
PBracy posted:

i have two fastracks running parallel with each other, would like to be able to switch trains from one track to the other and back when ready. Im looking at 72 degree command control remote switches . I dont want the tracks any far apart then i have to. Thanks , Pete 

Pete;

If you look at the Lionel website, there is a section which covers on line catalogues... the Track and Power catalogue (most recent is 2017) has diagrams of the track pieces needed to make crossovers in various radii. I set up two like Chief Bob shows in O-72 and they are fun in operation. Here is a link to the catalogue:

http://catalogs.lionel.com/16tp/html5/

Is there another combination of pieces for O-72 crossover besides that shown in the Lionel Track and Power catalog? The combo shown in the catalog calls for 16 fitter pieces (1.75 and 1.375) with 8 on each end of the switch track. Wondering how others have handled this - different combo, custom cuts, or using a ton of filler pieces? 

The closest is in my response above. It does have ~1/16" gaps but functionally works fine:

Lew

geysergazer posted:
Mooner posted:
Apples55 posted:
PBracy posted:

i have two fastracks running parallel with each other, would like to be able to switch trains from one track to the other and back when ready. Im looking at 72 degree command control remote switches . I dont want the tracks any far apart then i have to. Thanks , Pete 

Pete;

If you look at the Lionel website, there is a section which covers on line catalogues... the Track and Power catalogue (most recent is 2017) has diagrams of the track pieces needed to make crossovers in various radii. I set up two like Chief Bob shows in O-72 and they are fun in operation. Here is a link to the catalogue:

http://catalogs.lionel.com/16tp/html5/

Is there another combination of pieces for O-72 crossover besides that shown in the Lionel Track and Power catalog? The combo shown in the catalog calls for 16 fitter pieces (1.75 and 1.375) with 8 on each end of the switch track. Wondering how others have handled this - different combo, custom cuts, or using a ton of filler pieces? 

The closest is in my response above. It does have ~1/16" gaps but functionally works fine:

Lew

Thanks for pointing this out. I did see this and it's a cool alternative for wider spacing between tracks. Still interested in what others might have done to keep the 6" between center rails, if there is any.

Pete;

All those small pieces are not “required”… they seem to be used so that the inner and outer straight runs of track in the example are the same length. I just started adding larger pieces (10”, 30”) beyond the switches. I used some of the small pieces based on the space I had available. Depending on how much space you have available, you may be able to use less. This plan is somewhat out of date (and a bit small), but you can see what I did.

3ED1534E-DFC2-47C0-8D26-F977D23332AA

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