Double crossing build - nscale

[upmike]

I would like to model the BNSF/UP double crossing thats at rochelle, IL.

http://trn.trains.com/videos/webcams/2014/09/bnsf-and-union-pacific-in-rochelle-il

anybody know of how to make one of these in n-scale code 55?

thanks Mike

[mbinsewi]

Welcome Mike.  Why don't you look and see what crossings are availiable from the manufacturer your getting your track from.

I don't know what the angle is at Rochelle, you'll have to figure that out, as well, and that info maybe published somewhere, you might find in a search about the Rochelle crossing.

With this info, and what track is available, you can figure out how to build this.

You might have to use 4 individual crossings, of the correct angle, and possibly do some track "kit bashing" to make it work.

Mike.

[richhotrain]

I don't think that is particularly challenging. It simply requires 4 crossings at the proper angles.

Atlas makes an N scale Code 55 crossing in six different angles.

https://shop.atlasrr.com/c-719-n65.aspx

Just line them up, connect them, and you are on your way.

Rich

[BigDaddy]

mbinsewi

Why don't you look and see what crossings are availiable from the manufacturer your getting your track from.

The acuteness of the angle makes for an out of the box solution unlikely and a very difficult kit bash for a track laying newbie.  Determinging what an where to gap would be very difficult, if not impossible, for me.

That doesn't mean it is impossible.  Look for custom turnout fabricators, they've got it figured out.  It won't be cheap, but if you really want a unique bit of trackwork, it would be worth it, unless you have the time skills and an instructor to learn how to do this.

Oak Hill is one such fabricator.  No personal experience.  For a time he used to rent templates.  I don't know but I'll bet he found out that it cannibalized his sales and rentals.

 

 

[cuyama]

Welcome to the forum. Your first few posts will be moderated, which creates a delay in them appearing here.

A lot depends on what you mean by "modeling the Rochelle crossing." Is this to be part of an actual working model railroad or more of a diorama? How much space do you have? How are you planning to arrange the rest of the layout?

From a physical standpoint, the lines seem to cross at roughly a 21° angle (as can be seen from Google Earth). Atlas makes a Code 55 22.5° crossing that would be indistinguishable from that actual angle. The part is quite long and some legs would need to be trimmed to obtain a track-to-track spacing close to the real-life scene. This will be slightly tricky as such a shallow crossing has long frogs. So you may need to depart a bit from the exact real-life spacing.

Commercial crossings are pre-wired, so that is generally not a concern.

But depending on the rest of your layout, you may not be able to bring the tracks together at exactly that angle in any case. And there is the matter of generating rail traffic for your crossing (if you intend it to be part of a functioning layout).

So a lot depends on "facts not yet in evidence." 

Good luck with your layout.