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Has anyone combined two curved turnouts back to back?

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  • Member since
    January 2016
  • 139 posts
Has anyone combined two curved turnouts back to back?
Posted by SpartanCook on Sunday, March 19, 2017 5:33 PM

Hey everyone, i am working on the next section of my layout and i had a question. I am about to put in a 28" radius curve siding off of my mainline. I will be using this siding to add two turnouts that will allow access to the branch line heading up into the mountains.

 

Is it a good idea to put these back to back? or should i spread them out throughout the curve?  

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Massachusetts
  • 202 posts
Posted by Bundy74 on Sunday, March 19, 2017 5:41 PM

Are they turning the same direction, or do they make an "S" curve?  I used 2 curved turnouts back-to-back on a module, but they both turned left.  I had no trouble with rolling stock navigating them, including an 85' coach.

I wouldn't recommend an "S" curve variaton though without a straight separating them.

Modeling whatever I can make out of that stash of kits that takes up half my apartment's spare bedroom.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Sunday, March 19, 2017 6:05 PM

With the large radius curves you're using, you should have no trouble.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    April 2002
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Posted by dante on Sunday, March 19, 2017 9:22 PM

I have several such combinations: no problem.

Dante

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, March 20, 2017 6:12 AM

Bundy74

Are they turning the same direction, or do they make an "S" curve?  I used 2 curved turnouts back-to-back on a module, but they both turned left.  I had no trouble with rolling stock navigating them, including an 85' coach.

I wouldn't recommend an "S" curve variaton though without a straight separating them.

 

This is the key question. If both curved turnouts curve in the same direction, no problem.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by jjdamnit on Monday, March 20, 2017 2:14 PM

Hello all,

SpartanCook
Is it a good idea to put these back to back? or should i spread them out throughout the curve?

I have successfully put Atlas Snap Switches (approximately #4s) back to back in an "S" configuration; with the two 1/3-18-inch sections that are provided between them, to create a cross-over.

With this track configuration there is no grade involved.

The caveat: the minimum radii on my pike is 15-inch snap track, which means that I only run 4-axle diesels or a maximum 0-6-0 steam.

As others have posted and asked, how are you configuring these turnouts? In an "S" or a single curve with divergent trackage?

If this is in "S" configuration do you have enough space to have the turnout before the branch line, in the opposite divergent direction, with a cross over to the grade? (Did that make sense?)

If the grade in on the divergent side of the turnout then your main concern would be the transition at which the grade begins and the percetage of said grade.

Hope this helps.

"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"

  • Member since
    January 2016
  • 139 posts
Posted by SpartanCook on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 7:44 PM

The turnouts wont be Forming an S curve, it will be a left and a right curved turnout connected on the single track side near the switch throw. The frogs will be situated away from each other so it looks like two curves coming together to meet in the middle. The siding will be situated on the 28 in curve and the branchline will be on the 60 inch curve on the outside. So you can either stay on the branchline for another lap around the outside of the oval up into the mountians or transition back to the mainline and go from the 60 in curve into the first turnout then into the second and on to the 28

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