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Trying to find a double crossover, or at least information

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  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, August 1, 2022 3:56 PM

Morpar

While developing the track plan for my yard it is becoming more evident I should try and use a double crossover to save space.  Or any other suggestions are welcome too! 

You are more likely to find a double crossover on a double mainline than in a yard. At one time, I had three Walthers/Shinohara double crossovers on my layout, and they proved to be maintenance nightmares with power losses on rails segments. Perhaps double crossovers from other manufacturers are more reliable.

Someone pointed out that you are more likely to find double slips than double crossovers in yards, especially in passenger yards. I agree.

Can you provide us with a track plan for your proposed yard?

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2014
  • From: 10,430’ (3,179 m)
  • 2,311 posts
Posted by jjdamnit on Monday, August 1, 2022 12:36 PM

Hello All,

maxman
you'll have to copy, paste in a new tab, then click to open

I made it a clickable link...

HO Atlas crossing on a double crossover

Hope this helps.

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

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, August 1, 2022 7:34 AM

The old Walthers/Shinohara double crossovers are demanding $125.00-$200.00 on eBay in good condidtion.

You can build one from Atlas turnouts and a 19 degree crossing. RR_Mel famously had great success wiuth one he built.

If you can accept Code 100 track for this piece, the old Shinohara double crossovers usually go for less than $100.00 on ebay, but they are seldom available.

Model Train Stuff lists the new Walthers code 83 double crossover for about $85.00, but it is currently out of stock.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • 7,486 posts
Posted by ndbprr on Monday, August 1, 2022 7:07 AM

a couple of thoughts. Unless you are using templates to draw your turnouts the odds are in favor of the dimemsions being off.  They will still be off even using templates.  Not bad if they are off using too much space (very rare) but horendous consequences if you find you do not have enough real estate.  Sounds like you are considering a double slip switch not a double crossover.   Yes they are expensive and were for real railroads also.  Usually used in the run in to multi track stations.  Fairly  rare in freight yards although modelers tend to like the complexity of one or two on a layout.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,877 posts
Posted by maxman on Sunday, July 31, 2022 9:11 PM

See the following thread:

https://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/276858.aspx?page=1

(you'll have to copy, paste in a new tab, then click to open)

They talk about using Atlas #6 (qty 4) turnouts and an Atlas 19 degree crossing to make a double crossover on 2 inch centers.

Oh, and Walthers is advertising a code 83 double crossover on 2 inch centers:

https://www.walthers.com/code-83-nickel-silver-track-6-turnout-double-crossover

 

  • Member since
    April 2002
  • From: Frankfort, Indiana
  • 424 posts
Trying to find a double crossover, or at least information
Posted by Morpar on Sunday, July 31, 2022 7:34 PM

While developing the track plan for my yard it is becoming more evident I should try and use a double crossover to save space. And my looking around online has made it clear new ones are scarce right now! If anyone knows where I can find one (HO scale, 2" track spacing, #6 or larger turnouts, and not way overpriced) I would love to know the source. Since that is unlikely, does anyone know what angle crossing it would take to make this with 4 turnouts? I am using the Peco medium radius turnouts for the yard, but could use the large radius for this application. Or any other suggestions are welcome too!

Good Luck, Morpar

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