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3 Way Turnouts

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  • Member since
    March 2002
  • 228 posts
3 Way Turnouts
Posted by mike33469 on Tuesday, March 8, 2005 8:00 PM
I recently installed a 3 way turnout on my layout, I was just wondering do they exist on real railroads? I don't remember ever seeing one. Thanks
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: San Jose, California
  • 3,154 posts
Posted by nfmisso on Tuesday, March 8, 2005 8:15 PM
yes, but they are rather rare, like slip switches.
Nigel N&W in HO scale, 1950 - 1955 (..and some a bit newer too) Now in San Jose, California
  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Perry County, PA, US
  • 453 posts
Posted by Attaboy on Tuesday, March 8, 2005 8:39 PM
Willist, if you get a chance to look through any books on the East Broad Top narrow gauge railroad, find a pic of their 3 way stub switches. Rather unusual and would make interesting modeling.
Age is an accident of birth, being young or old is a state of mind
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Guelph, Ont.
  • 1,476 posts
Posted by BR60103 on Tuesday, March 8, 2005 10:11 PM
3-ways are like slip switches -- they save space.
The nit-pickers like to differentiate between true 3-ways and lap switches -- in a true 3-way, all the points end at the same place. Not a pleasant sight.
I've also seen a picture of a 4-way.
I was looking at a picture today (Kings Cross in London?) and there is a 3-way/lap where both roads come off the SAME side.

--David

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: St Paul, MN
  • 6,218 posts
Posted by Big_Boy_4005 on Wednesday, March 9, 2005 12:08 AM
One of the most common uses of a 3 way is in a hump yard. They are used to branch the bowl tracks out quickly as the cars roll down. This cuts down on the number of switches required to reach any track. It makes a lot of sense when you think about it.
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: US
  • 328 posts
Posted by bikerraypa on Wednesday, March 9, 2005 8:54 PM
In Iain Rice's book Mid-sized & Manageable Track Plans, there is a pic of a prototype 3-way turnout on page 56. It's a 3-way stub turnout on the Virginia & Truckee.

Ray out
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 9, 2005 8:57 PM
Have one at the Sacramento Railroad Museum......really cool!

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