Reverse Wye

[Anonymous]

I need some help planning a reversing wye. I see by many track plans these can be built in 3-4 square feet. While planning, I have used all combinations of #4, #5 and #6 turnouts and all combinations of #4 and #6 Wye's, but still can not get ti fit in less than 5 linear feet plus the reversing segment. Can any one help me reduce the area needed?

Thanks Rossmk

[ndbprr]

What size radius track are you using for the curves? the only way you are going to tighten one up is to reduce the curvature on the legs or have one on the outside of a curve.

[Anonymous]

to: ndbprr,

Thanks for the reply, have used 24", 26" and 28" readius curves with no luck. I have not use 22" or less because I will be turning trains with 4-6-2,
4-6-4 and 4-8-4 steam loco's. I think most of my brass and other engines can handle 22" radius but not convinced going below 24" is a good idea. Any thoughts?

[passengerfan]

Friend of mine solved the reversing problem by purchasing a stacking washer & dryer for his wife and used this space in the laundry room for a reverse loop. I believe it cost about $800. 00 for this solution to reversing problem. Was it worth it he believes it was. Don't no if you can do the same but is it worth it for 4 feet?

[IRONROOSTER]

You can narrow the width by using a crossing. That is two regular turnouts face each other closer than normal and the two diverging curves cross each other and then curve back to a Y turnout. This will increase the tail length, however. And you have to be careful about S curves. Use a double curved crossing (not commercially available that I know of) to keep it more compact.
Enjoy
Paul

[warner brook]

[%-)] hi iron rooster
would you care to draw that configuration, i had a hard time trying to figure it out by just your explanation.thank you. roy

[IRONROOSTER]

Well I'm not sure how to paste a drawing in. So I'll trying drawing with text.

____________________________________________
...................................T............T
.....................................\........../
.......................................\....../
.........................................X
...................................../........................................../.............................................|.............|
...................................\.........../
......................................\ ...../
........................................\ /
.........................................Y
..........................................|
..........................................|

The T's are the regular turnouts. The _ / \ and | are track. The X is the crossing. The Y is a wye turnout. The periods are to keep it spaced out.
This is pretty crude, but I hope you can get the idea.
Enjoy
Paul

[IRONROOSTER]

Hmmm got some help from the system, let's see if I can make this better
_____________________________________
...................................T............T
.....................................\........../
.......................................\....../
.........................................X
...................................../.......\....
.................................../...........\.....
..................................|.............|
...................................\.........../
......................................\ ...../
........................................\ /
.........................................Y
..........................................|
..........................................|

[warner brook]

thanks alot[:)] it made sense after i seen it on paper.roy

[BR60103]

A simple wye, on the side of a straight length of track, will occupy at least twice the radius used -- one radius from turnout A to the wye turnout, then a second radius to turnout B. Off to the side, it will take one radius. For a 24" radius, this makes a space of 24" by 48". Now you need to add tail tracks long enough to take the locomotive of train you're turning. 12" or more for a loco, lots for a train.