Switch Types

[Anonymous]

What are the differences between a single slip, double slip, single crossover, and double crossover? I'm making an N scale layout that will have a large yard. Which of the switch types would be appropriate?

I expect the layout will handle transition era engines to include 4-8-8-4s (what with UP's silliness, this remains to be seen). Will a 4-8-8-4 handle #4 turnouts while making its way towards the roundhouse or is it more prototypical to use #6 turnouts?

My initial inclination is to use Shinohara track (code 70), however the code, while not unique, appears to be incompatible with more popular brands. Shinohara rated first due to its assortment of N scale track. For those using Shinohara, how would you rate it?

Thanks.

Carl

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cvsusn

What are the differences between a single slip, double slip, single crossover, and double crossover? I'm making an N scale layout that will have a large yard. Which of the switch types would be appropriate?

Which switch you should use depends upon the location -- how much room you have, and what you are trying to accomplish. In general you should try to stick with standard turnouts/switches, and only use the more complex switches when necessary as they require more maintenance, and often will cause the most derailments.

A single crossover is where you have two parallel tracks with two standard right or left hand switches connected so that a train can switch to the other track. A single crossover will only allow trains traveling in a specific direction to switch to "cross over" to the other track. Single crossovers are very common.

A double crossover is basically two overlapping single crossovers which will allow a train traveling in either direction on either of the parallel tracks to "cross over" to the other track. Double crossover should be used where there is not space for two single crossovers. A double crossover consists of four switches (two right and two left) and a crossing in the center. The combination of the switches and the crossing make this a more complex track arrangement.

A double slip switch is basically two overlapping wye switches where the frogs are at opposite ends of the switch. A double slip switch will allow a train entering it from any of the four routes to exit the switch from either of the two routes on the other side of the switch. For a total of four possible routes through the switch. Double slip switches are only used in yards where there is no space for two standard switches connected point to point. You geneally will not find slip switches on the mainline as they require slow speed to cross. Slip switches are common locations of derailments due to the many points and frogs it contains, but if the trains travel slow when crossing them, you should have few problems.

A single slip switch is very simular to the double slip. The difference being that one of the routes through the switch is not possible as the rails are not there. So, there are only three possible routes through the switch. The same rules apply as for double slip switches.

QUOTE: I expect the layout will handle transition era engines to include 4-8-8-4s (what with UP's silliness, this remains to be seen). Will a 4-8-8-4 handle #4 turnouts while making its way towards the roundhouse or is it more prototypical to use #6 turnouts?

For large locomotives such as a 4-8-8-4, you don't want to use #4 turnouts unless you wi***o have many derailments. At minimum you want #6 turnouts and perferably #8 or larger. You can use #4 turnouts anywhere you have need for a sharp turnout, and where your 4-8-8-4's will not be traveling (except for the straight route).

QUOTE: My initial inclination is to use Shinohara track (code 70), however the code, while not unique, appears to be incompatible with more popular brands. Shinohara rated first due to its assortment of N scale track. For those using Shinohara, how would you rate it?

Thanks.

Carl

I'm in HO scale, but I believe that for N-scale, most track is code 83 which is greatly oversized. If you want realistic track in N-scale, you probably want to use as small a rail size as possible. I believe code 70 is still oversized, but it is much better looking than code 83 in N-scale. I believe code 55 is probably the preferred size for N-scale with possibly code 40 for sidings. However, I don't know if you will find very many track components in code 55 or code 40, I do know that flextrack is available in code 55 (and I think code 40 as well) for N-scale.

Shinohara track is quite popular in HO scale, so I'm sure it is probably just as popular in N-scale.

Dale B.

[DSchmitt]

You don't have to restrict your self to one brand of track You can mix brands to get the track configuration you want..

The prototype is not limited to one size rail and the model doesn't have to be either. With a little effert the tops of the rails can be matched.

Atlas and Peco and other brands use code 80 +/- rail which while not identical will mate

Peco code 55 is readily available,will handle the wheel flanges on any equipment available in N Scale and will mate with code 80.

Both Peco 80 and 55 have springs in the turnouts so the points lock in position. They can be used without ground throws or switch machines.

Atlas code 55 is beautiful track but small flanged wheels (which are available) are required. Wheels on cars are easily changed and many new cars come with small flanges.. Most older locos hit the "spikes". Many new locos (released in the last few years) have small enough flanges. Mating Atlas code 55 to other sizes of rail would take a little work but could be done,

I have used specific Shinahara track components with both Peco and Atlas code 80. The rail head on Shinahara is slightly wider than Peco and Atlas. Operation is not affected but I find Shinahara less realistic in appearance because of this.

Slip switches are rare in the US. The main locations where slip swiches are used in the US is the throats to major passenger terminals. I have read that they are much more common in Europe.

[dehusman]

A single crossover is two switches arranged so a train can pass between two parallel tracks. They are very common on real railroads.

A double crossover is two of the above in series so that a train can cross over from one track to the other track in either direction. It is also known as a "universal" crossover. It is 4 switches long. They are very common on real railroads.

A "scissors" crossover is a double crossover arranged so the crssovers overlap and there is a crossing diamond in the middle. It is 2 switches long. They are not very common on real railroads, because major benefit is they are more compact, and real railroads generally have plenty of room to build a double crossover.

A slip switch is an overlaping switch arrangement. It is basically a crossing with switch points that allow movement from one leg of the crossing to the other. A single slip allows movement from one leg to the other on one quadrant, a double slip allows movement on both quadrants. For example if a northwest-southeast track crosses a northeast-southwest track, a single slip would allow movement from the NW leg to either the NE or SE leg, but the SW leg only to the NE leg, a double slip switch would allow movement from the NW leg to either the NE or SE leg and the SW leg to either the NE or SE leg. They have four sets of points in them. They are sometimes called "puzzle" switches. They were common in congested terminals, particularly in passenger terminals.

A lap switch is what modelers call a three way switch, a left hand switch overlaps a right hand switch.

In addition there are stub switches. They don't have points, the rails are bent back and forth to line them for either route. They were used in the 1800's. By the end of the 1800's most of the switches were "split" switches with points.

Dave H.

[Anonymous]

I had those same problems with the Atlas code 55 so I dumped it and went to Atlas 80 flex (for the cost) and Peco 80 turnouts (for the reliability) Now I'm having some real operational headachs from the Peco turnout motors (not the turnouts...they are great)

The motors don't have enough umph to get the points on the turnout to move. Anyone else seen this?

[Anonymous]

Thanks, folks for your responses. No longer hardover on the Shinohara.

A question for DSchmitt: How are the Peco codes 55 and 80 mated? Is there shimming involved?

Carl