Most Realistic Cross Over for Double Mainline?? (Atlas)

I imagine you could them short,  Ross makes a really large one, I think #8.  Be interesting to find out how far apart those are.  

I have #5 switches on my layout and mine looks a lot closer that that, it could be because I have the straight through connected to the curved, or the switch machine located between the two main lines. I will have to get some pictures put up later. Like I said I could be mistaken and it just looks closer than it really is.

Both the #5 and the #7.5 switches are 4.5" center rail to center rail.

pennsyfanman posted:

Both the #5 and the #7.5 switches are 4.5" center rail to center rail.

So then it makes no difference using #5 vs #7.5? In that case I suppose my only option would be to cut/shorten the turnout or try a Ross switch.

The railroads don't measure the distance between "inside" parallel rails, they measure track center-to-track center.  Prototype mainline center-to-center track spacing can vary anywhere from 14' to 25' depending on the railroad, location and regulation.

Rusty

JD:

If you look at Ross and want a minimum acceptable track center to center spacing then look at the yard cross overs. These will give you a 3.5 inch center to center but note 3.5 inch is REALLY tight on small curves. You need to make allowances for overhang of trains on your curves.

Joe

That’s a great question, and I happen to have two #8 Ross turnouts connected together for your review. Notice that I have a small connector track between the turnouts. I needed 4.5 inch spacing for scenic effects. I believe you could get to 3 inch between centers with these turnouts. Maybe less if you trim the turnouts. I use DZ1000’s. 1 touch, both throw...Works well. Your trackwork is Superb....

leapinlarry posted:

That’s a great question, and I happen to have two #8 Ross turnouts connected together for your review. Notice that I have a small connector track between the turnouts. I needed 4.5 inch spacing for scenic effects. I believe you could get to 3 inch between centers with these turnouts. Maybe less if you trim the turnouts. I use DZ1000’s. 1 touch, both throw...Works well. Your trackwork is Superb....

Thank you! Your track work looks great and the Ross switch blends in great with the Atlas track. The pictures you provided were very helpful as well. At least I know this is an option. I'm still curious if anyone has accomplished the spacing I'm looking for with Atlas switches.

Jason

These Ross 204 three way switches  were positioned on an existing module 4.5" track centers.  Note that the matching cross-over switches are #5's while the three way is a #4. 

This yard module is a little closer spacing.

Three and a half inch spacing (14' full scale) works great for parallel storage tracks in a yard where access to cars.  There is just enough room a a person to walk between the rows of cars.  A typical car is about 10 1/4 feet wide or 2.5+ inches in O scale.

On mainlines the tracks are spaced farther apart for clearance on curves but also to prevent two passing high-speed trains from knocking each other off the track due to the bow wave of air pushed ahead of them.  The faster the trains go the wider the spacing.

Here's a link to a discussion http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/111/t/192071.aspx

Jan

Here are pictures of my track spacing on my layout, as it is currently. Like I said it looks a lot closer than what you had in first post. I did not get a chance to measure it, since I forgot to grab my measuring tape. I have some pictures taken from the front and above and some from behind.

I know it isn't the best pictures since the trains were running when I took the picture

Image of just the switches it is all #5 switches

Two cars side by side, not much space between them

No the best but show two trains not to far apart

I think I was able to have it that close because I have the diverging route connected to the straight on another switch. 

I did how it was setup in scarm the image is below. 

It end up being something like that, end up being about 3" center to center.

I am not sure if will work in your setup, since it had the track angled a bit. Since I needed to get around a couple of areas that I am unable to move.

The closest I've measured was 13 feet in a yard (actually an industry next to my office). When you think about it, the standard car width is 10 feet, so a 13-foot spacing would leave three feet between the cars. On a main, they're a bit farther apart -- maybe 16 feet. In a model context, that would be 4" separation, but on curves, you're subject to sideswiping of equipment on sharper curves like O-72 with longer cars/locomotives.

If you cut down the diverging leg of your turnouts, you can get your straight tracks as close as you like, but you have to separate things out at the curves, plus use some easements to transition from curve to straight so things don't hit at the ends of the curves.

AGHRMatt posted:

The closest I've measured was 13 feet in a yard (actually an industry next to my office). When you think about it, the standard car width is 10 feet, so a 13-foot spacing would leave three feet between the cars. On a main, they're a bit farther apart -- maybe 16 feet. In a model context, that would be 4" separation, but on curves, you're subject to sideswiping of equipment on sharper curves like O-72 with longer cars/locomotives.

If you cut down the diverging leg of your turnouts, you can get your straight tracks as close as you like, but you have to separate things out at the curves, plus use some easements to transition from curve to straight so things don't hit at the ends of the curves.

Makes sense, Matt. My plan is to have a double mainline circle the entire room with very wide, super elevated flex track curves. So I'm not too worried about engine/rail car overhang as much as I am about getting the parallel tracks a prototypical distance apart while still fitting a double cross over between them.

I think I should be able to cut length off the turnout of an Atlas #5 or #7.5 switch without compromising operation performance. I'm just not sure if anyone has tried this.

Jason

Mike CT posted:

These Ross 204 three way switches  were positioned on an existing module 4.5" track centers. 

Note that the matching cross-over switches are #5's while the three way is a #4. 

Nice work Mike. Any reason you used #5's to connect with the Three way rather than matching #4's?

We had the #5 switches.  Project was relatively expensive, purchasing (2) three way switches. 

How about a cross over on a curve with O72/ 096 super elevated?

Mike CT posted:

We had the #5 switches.  Project was relatively expensive, purchasing (2) three way switches. 

Thanks, that's what I was guessing and edited out my "Did you have them?" part.