So I'm building a 2x8 switching layout. I have one industry that uses 2 sidings. What is the prototypical layout for switches? I have 2 right hands connected to form the 2 tracks does that look prototypical? or would there be a left hand before the industry siding?
You have an extra consideration: where the prototype switch stand would go. With built-in switch machines you'd get better centers with a 'left hand' switch following the right-hand so the motor isn't between parallel tracks but out there on the free side.
Having all the switches the same hand gives you a ladder track effect. But you have the switches too close for the necessary curve from the divergent path of the switch to line the sidings parallel for car clearance. It doesn't look prototypical to have the tracks splay radially as you get progressively further through switches.
Here I would definitely make cardboard or sheet templates of the switches and track pieces and test what fits best ... then draw centerlines and offsets to guide you as you actually put the track in. (If your template has a photocopy of track on it you might get a better idea of how it can look...)
with the atlas turnouts they are set up so that the switch machine is on the straight leg of the switch so no matter what comes first, one switch stand will always be between tracks. is there a way to flop them around?
The typical location for a switch stand is on the curved or diverging side of the switch. That's for safety.
If a derailed car runs over switch rods, it can bend the rods. That will cause the points to move closer together. Typically the "normal" position for a switch is lined for the straight away movement. If the stand is on the curved side and lined normal, closed point will be against the diverging stock rail, if the derailed car bends the rods it won't gap the points, the open point will just move closer to the closed point.
If the stand is on the straight side, and the derailed car runs across the rods, bending them, the closed point can be pulled away from the stock rail gapping the switch.
In industrial tracks there are pretty much any configuration you can come up with.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
is there a way to flip what side the switch machine is on? Atlas turnouts are layed out for the switch machine to be on the straight leg
Yes
Prior thread
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
dehusmanThe typical location for a switch stand is on the curved or diverging side of the switch. That's for safety. If a derailed car runs over switch rods, it can bend the rods. That will cause the points to move closer together. Typically the "normal" position for a switch is lined for the straight away movement. If the stand is on the curved side and lined normal, closed point will be against the diverging stock rail, if the derailed car bends the rods it won't gap the points, the open point will just move closer to the closed point. If the stand is on the straight side, and the derailed car runs across the rods, bending them, the closed point can be pulled away from the stock rail gapping the switch. In industrial tracks there are pretty much any configuration you can come up with.
Most of the industries I work put the switch stand on the outside of the trackage - not between them. Doesn't matter if it is the diverging or straight. If you put switch stands between tracks - you may not have the clearance to throw a swtich handle if there's a car on the adjacent track.
As far as the left handed connected to right handed - yeah, I've seen that in real life at some of the places I service, too. Many of the industries don't have the room (or want to spend the $$$) for a perfect ladder, and will shoehorn the tracks in any way they can. Can lead to some interesting curves, but it is what it is...
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
Are these powered swich machines, or the manual ones? Atlas makes right hand and left hand versions, so it may make a difference. You can flip the drawbar, though, and use caboose industry or other ground throws.
You can even make a spring out of music wire and flip them with your finger/uncoupling tool--no switchstands or switch machines needed.
Gary
zugmann dehusman The typical location for a switch stand is on the curved or diverging side of the switch. That's for safety. If a derailed car runs over switch rods, it can bend the rods. That will cause the points to move closer together. Typically the "normal" position for a switch is lined for the straight away movement. If the stand is on the curved side and lined normal, closed point will be against the diverging stock rail, if the derailed car bends the rods it won't gap the points, the open point will just move closer to the closed point. If the stand is on the straight side, and the derailed car runs across the rods, bending them, the closed point can be pulled away from the stock rail gapping the switch. In industrial tracks there are pretty much any configuration you can come up with. Most of the industries I work put the switch stand on the outside of the trackage - not between them. Doesn't matter if it is the diverging or straight. If you put switch stands between tracks - you may not have the clearance to throw a swtich handle if there's a car on the adjacent track. As far as the left handed connected to right handed - yeah, I've seen that in real life at some of the places I service, too. Many of the industries don't have the room (or want to spend the $$$) for a perfect ladder, and will shoehorn the tracks in any way they can. Can lead to some interesting curves, but it is what it is...
dehusman The typical location for a switch stand is on the curved or diverging side of the switch. That's for safety. If a derailed car runs over switch rods, it can bend the rods. That will cause the points to move closer together. Typically the "normal" position for a switch is lined for the straight away movement. If the stand is on the curved side and lined normal, closed point will be against the diverging stock rail, if the derailed car bends the rods it won't gap the points, the open point will just move closer to the closed point. If the stand is on the straight side, and the derailed car runs across the rods, bending them, the closed point can be pulled away from the stock rail gapping the switch. In industrial tracks there are pretty much any configuration you can come up with.
Even yard belonging to the railroad have unprototypic switch layouts. I doubled out an ethanol train on a track/switch arrangement like in the model photo.
One other unprototypic things I've seen a lot of examples of involve replacement switches. Often, the new switches are built on site and then using cranes, slid into place. Many places on industrial tracks where they replaced the switch, it ends up looking like they replaced an HO Atlas #4 with a Snap Switch.
Jeff
jeffhergertEven yard belonging to the railroad have unprototypic switch layouts. I doubled out an ethanol train on a track/switch arrangement like in the model photo.
Indeed.. There's nothing like stopping your move to cross the tracks to close or open a switch because the switch handle is on the "wrong" side of the tracks.
Yup,stop your move, walk 15' from the end car,cross the track,line the switch for your move, walk back 15' cross the track and resume your move.
While working on the Chessie(C&O) I was caught "short cutting" I cross the track before the 15' and recieved a written safety rule infraction letter.. I swear old "peeking tommy" came out of no where.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
That is a bunch of hogwash! Zugman has it right!
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Atlas also offers a mechanism that goes underneath the track. But I guess it would not work on your layout given the thickness of the board. From a design perspective, I would have kept it as a single siding, not a double one. A single siding will give you more room for a single set of cars, instead of breaking them in small groups. I think that it would be closer to the prototype, but I'm not an expert.
Simon
snjroyFrom a design perspective, I would have kept it as a single siding, not a double one. A single siding will give you more room for a single set of cars, instead of breaking them in small groups.
Simon, What I would have done is used a right and left hand switch and spread the track farther apart. The left switch would place the switch stand out of the way instead of between the two tracks.
I had one industry that inbound empty plastic pellet covered hoppers went on track 1 and loaded tank cars on track 2.
There is nothing wrong with a industry having more then one track.. One just needs to think outside of the box like using that right and left switch combo.
snjroy Atlas also offers a mechanism that goes underneath the track. But I guess it would not work on your layout given the thickness of the board. From a design perspective, I would have kept it as a single siding, not a double one. A single siding will give you more room for a single set of cars, instead of breaking them in small groups. I think that it would be closer to the prototype, but I'm not an expert. Simon
Depends on what the two tracks are for and if there's even space for a longer spur.
https://goo.gl/maps/Xkk3DhoxFoQs28nd8
Kinda hard to make out through the fence, but there were two tracks here. Couldn't do one long one, you'd end up in the Potomac. Two tracks gave them capacity for five boxcars instead of just three. Bridge plates between the two pairs side by side. And to fit the third door/fifth car, there's a turnout right under the dock door. If you turn around, there's a sixth spot in the other building, on a curve, too.
BRAKIE snjroy From a design perspective, I would have kept it as a single siding, not a double one. A single siding will give you more room for a single set of cars, instead of breaking them in small groups. Simon, What I would have done is used a right and left hand switch and spread the track farther apart. The left switch would place the switch stand out of the way instead of between the two tracks. I had one industry that inbound empty plastic pellet covered hoppers went on track 1 and loaded tank cars on track 2. There is nothing wrong with a industry having more then one track.. One just needs to think outside of the box like using that right and left switch combo.
snjroy From a design perspective, I would have kept it as a single siding, not a double one. A single siding will give you more room for a single set of cars, instead of breaking them in small groups.
Well, you would know for sure. I thought that these were switched around at pick-up time instead of being sorted in advance.