Passing siding ?

A few ideas to consider...

Are you running scale or traditional size rolling stock and engines? Individual length could be a factor.

Put your track together and give it a test.

In real life, there definitely would be some type of speed restriction in place. But it is a toy train, have fun and experiment.

This is GarGraves, but it shows that a LH switch gives you a double S curve, so I think it depends on which one you're talking about. They both have S curves, but the RH goes more smoothly into it. Better than O-54 switches, but not as smooth as numbered switches.

@DoubleDAZ posted:

This is GarGraves, but it shows that a LH switch gives you a double S curve, so I think it depends on which one you're talking about. They both have S curves, but the RH goes more smoothly into it. Better than O-54 switches, but not as smooth as numbered switches.

Dave, The second option with the siding on the inside of the oval.

Dave, here is an alternative option with three variations (please forgive the poor track design program, I usually prefer drafting by hand). This is GarGraves 54" curves with the 72" switch.

This variation has the switch in the curve to avoid 'reverse curves' (more commonly referred to as 'S' curves). Please note you could move the switch in this design to any point in the

Pros: cars won't bind as there is no reverse curve. Slightly longer passing siding

Cons: have to trim a piece of track to fit. Slightly messes up the perfect 54" loop.

Note how the position of the switch in the curve will either shorten the siding or shorten the distance between the two tracks - something to keep in mind if you want to put the switch here.

Edit: I used GarGraves only because DoubleDAZ showed it in his idea - are you planning on GarGraves or another type of track?

Chuck, that is what I would do if possible. I was just trying to answer the question. 😉

@DoubleDAZ posted:

They both have S curves, but the RH goes more smoothly into it. Better than O-54 switches, but not as smooth as numbered switches.

Dave, you do not say which track you are using; Fast Track is harder to trim.  If using O54 curves and want the lower option, I assume you may not have the room to go wider.

If running traditional sized 3-rail trains made for O31/O42 curves, S curves of this size are much less an issue than with scale stuff.  The lower option will work and give a longer siding.  However, to make the transition look better and operate better, I would use an O72 curve coming off the switch for the siding.

Ron, please read again, I said “This is GarGraves.....”. 😉

And for the record, those are GarGraves O-72 makeup curves and O-72 curves coming off the switches. I didn’t think it was necessary to show all brands to make the point about the differences. Either way there will be a double S with a LH switch that may cause more problems than a RH switch.

Also, some people frown on starting an outside siding on the curve because that means the mainline goes through the curved part of the switch and is not prototypical. If the siding goes inside, then starting it on the curve as Chuck suggested, if possible, eliminates any S curve.

Sorry, MTH Realtrax and I don't have room to switch to an outside loop only inside. I also run nothing bigger than a scale size 50 foot box car mostly 40s and RailKing 60 foot passenger cars. Nothing I own requires more than 031 and 54s as wide as I can go. I just have concerns about derailing with the 072 switch right up to the 054 curves but the longer the passing siding the better.

I'm using Ross curved switches in some places where a smooth transition is needed and I didn't want extra "wiggles" in the route.

Ron, you quoted my post., but I get it now.

Dave, I agree with Ron. Here’s what it’ll be with RealTrax. It’ll be better than an O-54 switch and no worse than an O-72 switch with a straight in between it and the curve.

@Dave Ripp. posted:

Sorry, MTH Realtrax and I don't have room to switch to an outside loop only inside. I also run nothing bigger than a scale size 50 foot box car mostly 40s and RailKing 60 foot passenger cars. Nothing I own requires more than 031 and 54s as wide as I can go. I just have concerns about derailing with the 072 switch right up to the 054 curves but the longer the passing siding the better.

Hi Dave,

I have an MTH RealTrax layout with some of my O72 switches integrated with O54 curved track (albeit designed with no S-curves).  I run mostly 40' and 50' equipment with no problems.  Also run 72' passenger cars and no problems.

I think you would be just fine with what you want to do.  The bigger the switch, the better.  Give it a try, I'm pretty sure your trains will run through them with no problems at all.