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Code 83 diamond crossing electrofrog

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Code 83 diamond crossing electrofrog
Posted by Andy110675 on Friday, December 1, 2017 12:10 PM

I have just purchased a peco streamline code 83 diamond crossing #6.I believed that i was able too use this too switch tracks but have found out i may have wasted my money as there are no moving parts.As you know i am anewbie too this hobby so where exactlly would you use this crossing and for what purpose other than to cross over.Would i be right in saying i need a double crossover at £50.00 OMG.Or could i use two Y points one at either end ?

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Posted by jjdamnit on Friday, December 1, 2017 12:55 PM

Hello all,

Could you provide a part number for the item you have?

I suspect rather than a crossover you need a Double Slip Switch.

When you say:

Andy110675
I believed that i was able too use this too switch tracks...

Are you talking about being able to switch a train from one track to the other like the this double crossover pictured?

Hope this helps.

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

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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, December 1, 2017 1:00 PM

A crossing is just that. It crosses an adjacent track without permitting the train to run on the adjacent track.

If you want to connect two adjacent tracks, you will need two turnouts to form a crossover.

If you want a dual function, crossing and crossover, you want a double slip.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by BigDaddy on Friday, December 1, 2017 1:11 PM

jjdamnit
I suspect rather than a crossover you need a Double Slip Switch.

The OP says there are no moving parts so it pretty much has to be a crossing.  http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Peco-HO-SLU8364-Code-83-6-Diamond-Crossing-p/pec-slu8364.htm

 

Henry

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Posted by cuyama on Friday, December 1, 2017 1:27 PM

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, December 1, 2017 2:06 PM

I think the "DOUBLE SLIP" switch is what you are looking for.

.

That being said, I have never used one, but I have a spot in my proposed track plan that is perfect for one.

.

What is the reliablity of such a monster? I would be using the Shinohara/Walthers code 83 number 6 double slip. Does anyone have experience with this?

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

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Posted by cuyama on Friday, December 1, 2017 2:11 PM

Double slips are generally not as reliable as two turnouts connected points-end-to-points-end (on the prototype and the model). The prototype uses them only in extremely tight areas (such as a passenger station throat). Rare in freight trackage.

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Posted by Andy110675 on Friday, December 1, 2017 3:43 PM

Part number SL-E8364 I was hoping to be able to switch from one track to the next but unfortunatlly i cant so do i need a switching crossover.At the moment my crossover goes from bottom right to top left and bottom left to top right how do i go from bottom left to bottom right and then reverse from bottom right to top left.From what i have researched i need a double slip crossover?

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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, December 1, 2017 4:11 PM

Andy110675

Part number SL-E8364 I was hoping to be able to switch from one track to the next but unfortunatlly i cant so do i need a switching crossover.At the moment my crossover goes from bottom right to top left and bottom left to top right how do i go from bottom left to bottom right and then reverse from bottom right to top left.From what i have researched i need a double slip crossover?

 

As you previously indicated, the SL-E8364 is a crossing.

It is not entirely clear what you are trying to accomplish but take a look at the diagrams provided by cuyama. It sounds as if you are looking for a double crossover.

Won't the two crossovers that you already have accomplish what you are describing? Can you post a track diagram?

Rich

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Posted by Andy110675 on Saturday, December 2, 2017 3:26 AM

I dont think im going to use it as my layout is all freight i havnt gone with a proto layout its more somthing i came up with my self.I find it difficult to copy someone elses work.I find it easier to create my own as i understand its function more and its uses if that makes sense.Confused

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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, December 2, 2017 4:06 AM

Andy110675

I dont think im going to use it as my layout is all freight i havnt gone with a proto layout its more somthing i came up with my self.I find it difficult to copy someone elses work.I find it easier to create my own as i understand its function more and its uses if that makes sense.Confused

 

Yep, that makes total sense. Good luck with your layout.

Rich

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Posted by Andy110675 on Saturday, December 2, 2017 9:16 AM

Here is a very quick vid of the progress no sound as i hate talking on camera do you think its practical or is there too much track 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FX-Ab4ySd4&feature=youtu.be

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Posted by RR_Mel on Saturday, December 2, 2017 9:44 AM

Looks like this is what your looking for.
 
 
I built this double crossover from four Atlas #6 Custom Line turnouts and a 19° crossing.
 
My Blog Post on the construction:
 
 
 
 
Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
  
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
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Posted by Andy110675 on Saturday, December 2, 2017 9:57 AM

Looks really nice but from what ive heard you dont really see them on freight lines.Did you watch the video i posted and do you think its too much track in one area.

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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, December 2, 2017 10:03 AM

You can never have too much track in my opinion.

On the video, what does that track work represent, a yard?

Rich

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Posted by RR_Mel on Saturday, December 2, 2017 10:05 AM

Model Railroading is what you want; I wanted a double crossover on my layout.  My layout started out as Southern Pacific articulated locomotive heavy freight using a single Cab Forward.  As time passed I got into early 50s passenger service also.  Build your layout for the way you want it, if you want a double crossover do it to it, I did.
 
 
 
Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
  
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
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Posted by Andy110675 on Saturday, December 2, 2017 10:14 AM

Thats right i planned on been able to take freight from a container terminal on the opposite side along with a cement plant then sort them out at the yard plus an engine house.I agree Mel if your not following a proto type then it doesnt really matter how you do it does it.

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Posted by cuyama on Saturday, December 2, 2017 3:29 PM

Andy110675
I agree Mel if your not following a proto type then it doesnt really matter how you do it does it.

Respectfully disagree. If you want your collection of flextrack and turnouts to offer interest and fun in operations, the track plan does matter quite a bit. Although many newcomers seem to prefer only their own counsel, there is much to be learned from established references and best practices.

Good luck with your layout.

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Posted by Andy110675 on Sunday, December 3, 2017 2:26 AM

Thanks for that i understand what you are saying,have you taken a look at my vid would you say it looks right.Im not sure what you meant by my collection of flextrack and turnouts but what else could i use.

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Posted by cuyama on Sunday, December 3, 2017 3:14 PM

Andy110675
Thanks for that i understand what you are saying,have you taken a look at my vid would you say it looks right.Im not sure what you meant by my collection of flextrack and turnouts but what else could i use.

Without seeing all the interconnections in place, the locations and types of industries, etc., it's not possible for me, at least, to say if it's workable or not. 

Not disparaging your use of the components you have, only making the point that it does matter how they are interconnected.

 

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Posted by Andy110675 on Monday, December 4, 2017 1:19 AM

I totally understand what you are saying.But isnt it just a case of running locos in a way that you understand and best suits your knowlege which in my case is zero at this point.Surely at my level in the game i can place industrys where i like as with track and points but if this is misleading imformation that i have been given then i am all ears and willing to learn alternative methods.

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Posted by BigDaddy on Monday, December 4, 2017 2:52 AM

It would not be a bad thing to read John Armstrong's book, Track Planning for Realistic Operation  https://www.amazon.com/Track-Planning-Realistic-Operation-Railroader/dp/0890242275/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1512374610&sr=8-3&keywords=john+armstrong

The tendency for all newbies, is to pack too much track and stuff into too little space.   A newbie may want a freight station, a passenger station, a coal mine, a coaling tower, a water tower, a yard a couple industries, a city scene and  all on a 4x8 sheet of plywood.  

As you learn and mature in the hobby, you realize your trains need a little space to run between all of the above, that you just crammed on the layout.

By the same token, you cannot take a division of your favorite railroad, and just scale it to 1:87.  No one has that kind of space. 

Take a look at the Atlas 25 track plan vs the one Cuyama suggested

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/266541.aspx

Byron's plan is more...functional.  I don't feel I've explained it well. 

Look at the pics in this forum.  Some are so good, you have to look twice to be sure it's a model.  Others look like someone dumped half of a Walthers catalog of buildings on the layout.  Even if all the buildings and trackwork were painted and weathered to the same quality, there is just too much there.

 

 

 

Henry

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Posted by richhotrain on Monday, December 4, 2017 4:18 AM

Andy110675

Here is a very quick vid of the progress no sound as i hate talking on camera do you think its practical or is there too much track 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FX-Ab4ySd4&feature=youtu.be 

Andy, I went back to take another look at your video, but it appears that you have removed it. I hope that wasn't because of the discouraging comments that you have been receiving on this thread.

You mentioned earlier that you planned on being able to take freight from a container terminal and a cement plant on one side of your U-shaped layout and then sort the car in the yard on the other side of the layout which would also include an engine house.

As I recall the track configuration in the layout, I see no reason not to complete it as you have constructed it. Run some trains, assemble and disassemble them, and see how you like conducting such operations.

You may find that a different yard track configuration makes more sense.....or not. Don't worry at this point about the prototype or prototype yard track configurations. That will come later as you gain experience.

I believe that there is a tendency to encourage master model railroad techniques from the outset to someone who is new to model railroading. Don't concern yourself with that. I have been doing this for 14 years now (modeling in HO scale), and I am still trying to figure things out.

When you posted your video, your question was, is there too much track in the area. As I said before in answering your question, you can never have too much track. It is easier later to remove track than it is to add track.

Stick with your plan and don't get discouraged. Keep us posted on your progress.

Rich

 

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Posted by Andy110675 on Monday, December 4, 2017 5:40 AM

Thanks for the comments.Yes i removed the video and took up the track.I have completed my faller stone crushing plant and placed it on the bench started cutting foam to suit the structure and already i feel like half of my layout has gone to a quarry side and roads leading upto it never mind a cement works too fit into it as well.I then noticed the stone plant was on a ledge raised up about 2" above the track next to it and thought to my self how the hell would that quarry face be so close to a line i dont believe they would blow up the face and throw 100s of tons of rock to the line below lol.So i am back where i started with a blank bench.

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Posted by richhotrain on Monday, December 4, 2017 6:07 AM

I presume that you are modeling in HO scale based upon that Peco Code 83 crossing that you mentioned early on. Is that correct?

Is the Faller stone works item number 130170?

Rich

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Posted by Andy110675 on Monday, December 4, 2017 6:17 AM

Yes im modeling in HO and yes the item number is correct.Its the large modern stone plant.

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Posted by richhotrain on Monday, December 4, 2017 6:31 AM

OK, you are beginning to pique my interest. This sounds like a very interesting layout. 

I see that Faller also makes a cement works, item number 130474. Is that going to be part of your modeling as well?

Rich

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Posted by Andy110675 on Monday, December 4, 2017 6:53 AM

I have already purchased the walthers valley cement plant kit which is around 40" long as you probablly know.

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Posted by richhotrain on Monday, December 4, 2017 7:12 AM

In your various replies, you have mentioned several structures including the stone crushing works, the cement plant complex, a container terminal and an engine house.

From the video, it appears that your layout will be U-shaped with the stone crushing works a nd cement plant complex on one side and the container terminal, yard, and engine house on the other side.

Can you indicate the dimensions of your layout, the placement of the structures and the planned sequence of operations?

Rich

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Posted by Andy110675 on Monday, December 4, 2017 7:31 AM

Hi Rich here is a vid of the rock side i will go get the dimensions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwAXLLRS4as&feature=youtu.be

the right hand side is 15ftx2ft 6" The widest point from one side to the other is 6ft as the shed has a step on the left side.The left side is 12ftx2ft 8"

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