I bought a Shinohara 3 way turnout years ago, for a layout I never finished. Now I am gathering all my "dithers and druthers" as John Armstrong says, in the few free moments I have, to form a new track plan.
I was thinking of using it to branch out a yard, but most yards I see just ladder regular turnouts in sequence.
Where would a Prototype RR use one? Yard? Mainline? Branch? ????
Wherever it makes sense to have one. Yard throats in some cases, hump-yard downramp route splitter, off a lead to a busy three-stall backshop, maybe in a passenger terminal to spread/gather three different loading platforms...?
Screw the prototype. Use them where you need them.
I have three 3-way turnouts lined up end to end. The first and second ones let trains enter and exit the downtown passenger station from a double mainline which, in effect, circles the station. The third one permits switchers to enter and exit the adjacent coach yard, connecting the station to the coach yard.
Rich
Alton Junction
Here are several at a hump yard...
http://binged.it/1jndvqg
And here are a couple more...
http://binged.it/1jnd5QG
But if you scan around those areas, you'll see dozens, if not hundreds, of switches and only a handful are 3-ways.
Steve S
They don't seem to be common prototypically, but they help squeeze more railroad into our smaller spaces. This is another example of selective compression (as per your other thread on that). A three way switch takes up considerably less space allowing for you to fit in more other things.
Visit my layout!
LaSalle Street Station
" target=""> Maybe not per any prototype but one proved perfect as a split into my Cornerstone wood coaling tower leads, all of which had to fit within a fairly short length.
Maybe not per any prototype but one proved perfect as a split into my Cornerstone wood coaling tower leads, all of which had to fit within a fairly short length.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Not a common place, but I used a three way going into staging, to save space. Its not part of the layout, so who cares.
Dave M
I don't know what it is about my old hometown of Butler, Pennsylvania, but it seems to be one of those locations chock full of railroad and manages to have (or had) an example of ever single uncommon* on the prototype things.
One three way turnout: http://binged.it/1m5t94r
And another: http://binged.it/1zxnLRS
Both on opposite ends of the Buffalo & Pittsburgh locomotive shop.
* It even had the "ultimate" prototype minimum radius curve. The junction between the PRR and B&LE was extremely tight and when Pullman-Standard was building the prototype for its 89' flat for Trailer Train, it used that curve as its absolute minimum. They'd take the prototype out there, derail it, and then go back to the drawing board to tweak and modify until it worked. Almost every outbound P-S order had to make it around that curve, so....
If the main passes through tht center of your yard, east and west bound trains use opposite sides. Also, passenger station off one side, freight yard off the other.
I have a couple I hope to use when I get the next layout underway. Not just sure of the use yet.
Good luck,
Richard
Here are two examples of how I used 3 ways.
Bob
Don't Ever Give Up
superbe Here are two examples of how I used 3 ways. Bob
Those 2 autos look real.
Who makes those?
It's been atleast 5 years since they were purchased so I have no idea who made them.
The red station wagon is from Classic Metal Works - - a 1953 Ford Customline, Coral Flame Red.
Not sure about that black convertible.
In Rapid City, SD, a three-way turnout replaced a turntable to give access to a three-stall roundhouse. The roundhouse is still there, but Mapquest couldn't show if the track was still in place.
On my layout, there are four three-ways in Down staging - but you'll never find the equivalent in a bubble pack or box. Two have two routes left, one straight. The other two have all three routes curving left.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Big Boy Forever"dithers and druthers" as John Armstrong says
That would be "Givens" and "druthers"
As he used the phrase, "Givens" are things that can't be changed, such as the size of the room. "druthers" (from "I'd ruther" [sic]) are personal preferences choices.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
cuyama Big Boy Forever "dithers and druthers" as John Armstrong says That would be "Givens" and "druthers" As he used the phrase, "Givens" are things that can't be changed, such as the size of the room. "druthers" (from "I'd ruther" [sic]) are personal preferences choices.
Big Boy Forever "dithers and druthers" as John Armstrong says
OK, that's right.
I should have looked it up instead of relying on my sometimes not so accurate memory.
tomikawaTTIn Rapid City, SD, a three-way turnout replaced a turntable to give access to a three-stall roundhouse. The roundhouse is still there, but Mapquest couldn't show if the track was still in place.
If this is the place, it looks like a couple of standard turnouts.
http://binged.it/1r09AAJ
I use one in staging to keep most of it double ended. I was surprised (even after reading the dimensions) how big these things really are! My planned use didn't work out and I finally realized I could put it on the other end of the staging yard and it fit perfectly performing the same function.
Something to keep in mind if you get a great idea and it doesn't seem to fit. Can the 3 way go on the other end of things and still work? These things take me awhile to get a light bulb moment ;-)
Jim
Raised on the Erie Lackawanna Mainline- Supt. of the Black River Transfer & Terminal R.R.
The black convertible looks like it might be an early 50's Buick. Don't know who makes the model.
richhotrainScrew the prototype.
I could never buy into that thought since we are modeling railroads.
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Use them where you need them.
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That I can agree with due to our limited space but,I would still keep a tight grip on believability and not just hither dither and over yonder just because I can...
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
BRAKIE richhotrain Screw the prototype. I could never buy into that thought since we are modeling railroads. ------------------------------------------------------------ Use them where you need them. -------------------------------------- That I can agree with due to our limited space but,I would still keep a tight grip on believability and not just hither dither and over yonder just because I can...
richhotrain Screw the prototype.
I guess you have the "Thomas Train" and "Toy Train" group at one end of the spectrum and at the other end you have the rivet counters, and then the entire spectrum in between.
the "Screw the Prototype" group might lie in the middle ground I think.
Personally, I tend to be at the rivet counter end, along with using 3-way Wyes like the prototype or at least attempting to based on "givens and druthers".
A few years ago there was a photo in MR showing a five way stub switch. I would never try to buid such.
Dave
Big Boy ForeverPersonally, I tend to be at the rivet counter end, along with using 3-way Wyes like the prototype or at least attempting to based on "givens and druthers".
Then you have those like me that not a true rivet counter but,one that likes to follow prototypical examples as much as possible.
As far as a three one switch,just like the prototype I will used one only if needed.
Big Boy Forever BRAKIE richhotrain Screw the prototype. I could never buy into that thought since we are modeling railroads. ------------------------------------------------------------ Use them where you need them. -------------------------------------- That I can agree with due to our limited space but,I would still keep a tight grip on believability and not just hither dither and over yonder just because I can... I guess you have the "Thomas Train" and "Toy Train" group at one end of the spectrum and at the other end you have the rivet counters, and then the entire spectrum in between. the "Screw the Prototype" group might lie in the middle ground I think. Personally, I tend to be at the rivet counter end, along with using 3-way Wyes like the prototype or at least attempting to based on "givens and druthers".
Larry got it right when he said to "use them where you need them", and that is my point.
Of course, we should follow the prototype wherever possible, but the OP wanted to install a 3-way turnout and expressed concern about how and where it would be used.
Since the prototype made little use of 3 ways, it is up to the modeler to either be imaginative and creative or abandon the 3-way as unprototypical. Thus, my sarcastic statement, screw the prototype!
I suspect that even Larry has an unprototypical element or two on his layout. Let's not be elitists!
richhotrainI suspect that even Larry has an unprototypical element or two on his layout. Let's not be elitists! Rich
Only the tight Peco medium switches..All else was research using Google and Bing maps.
This is a end of a short line I found down South.I copied the general idea and added a extra industry and a runaround for operation-I wish I left that run around out of my plan..The bottom plan is the way it should have been built.
richhotrain Big Boy Forever I guess you have the "Thomas Train" and "Toy Train" group at one end of the spectrum and at the other end you have the rivet counters, and then the entire spectrum in between. the "Screw the Prototype" group might lie in the middle ground I think. Personally, I tend to be at the rivet counter end, along with using 3-way Wyes like the prototype or at least attempting to based on "givens and druthers". Don't misconstrue my statement. Larry got it right when he said to "use them where you need them", and that is my point. Of course, we should follow the prototype wherever possible, but the OP wanted to install a 3-way turnout and expressed concern about how and where it would be used. Since the prototype made little use of 3 ways, it is up to the modeler to either be imaginative and creative or abandon the 3-way as unprototypical. Thus, my sarcastic statement, screw the prototype! I suspect that even Larry has an unprototypical element or two on his layout. Let's not be elitists! Rich
Big Boy Forever I guess you have the "Thomas Train" and "Toy Train" group at one end of the spectrum and at the other end you have the rivet counters, and then the entire spectrum in between. the "Screw the Prototype" group might lie in the middle ground I think. Personally, I tend to be at the rivet counter end, along with using 3-way Wyes like the prototype or at least attempting to based on "givens and druthers".
Don't misconstrue my statement.
I figured you might take it the wrong way.
I'm not being "Elitist" at all by comparing Toy trains to rivet counters and all that's in between. That's your perception.
I'm just saying "whatever floats your boat". Some people are "elitists" with Lionel trains, but I don't care much for Lionels, even though I had one as a kid, although if I had the big money and space, I would prefer an "O" scale layout over an HO.
In any case, "No One" can be 100% prototypical anyhow, but I like to count rivets even if all the rivets are not on my layout. "Aim for the stars and maybe you'll hit the treetops" the saying goes. Everyones "stars" are different.
Fear not, Big Boy, I did not take it the wrong way, and I was making a general admonition about becoming elitists, not specifically directed at you.
But I did make my original comment in your defense since I wanted to encourage you to make use of your 3-way turnout, whether prototypical or not.
I take that back. I was being specific when I cautioned about becoming elitists. I was directing that comment at Larry !
richhotrain Fear not, Big Boy, I did not take it the wrong way, and I was making a general admonition about becoming elitists, not specifically directed at you. But I did make my original comment in your defense since I wanted to encourage you to make use of your 3-way turnout, whether prototypical or not. Rich
Has to be close to prototypical for me.
Big Boy Forever richhotrain Fear not, Big Boy, I did not take it the wrong way, and I was making a general admonition about becoming elitists, not specifically directed at you. But I did make my original comment in your defense since I wanted to encourage you to make use of your 3-way turnout, whether prototypical or not. Rich Has to be close to prototypical for me.
While it is true that you can find anything and everything on the prototype, and that includes a 3-way here and there, it is not commonplace. In fact, I would argue that it is quite unusual.