Double Slip Switches

Sure have, and I considered it a must-have on my layout.  You are right, they are essentially a crossover with two diverging routes added allowing you to actually cross an intermediary track.  Here is a photo of a Fast Tracks version, hand-laid, in my yard:

-Crandell

When I was building my current layout, the guys at the LHS suggested that instead of a crossover from Track A to Track B followed by a turnout into a yard or siding, that I use a turnout from Track A connected to a double slip to route trains to Track B or to the yard (siding).  The reason was that the double slip would eliminate the S-curve caused by connecting a turnout to a crossover.

I would equate a double slip switch to a crossing with turnout capabilites.

Rich

On my two zone panels which will have to control double slip switches, they will be represented as the equivalent of two standard turnouts points facing points - because that is how they function.  On the main panel they are simply X with a switch machine power stud in each leg.  (The zone panels have rotary switches, thanks to the need to control and signal which panel has control of a given switch machine.)

On the ground, double slips are used to shorten yard throats, eliminate S curves and ease the travel of the wheels through the interlocking.  OTOH, they are a high-maintenance item, so the prototype tends to minimize their use.

Note that I said minimize, not totally avoid.  If the only way to cram passing capability onto a narrow mountain ledge between a tunnel and a bridge abutment is to route 100+ trains a day across a double slip switch in one direction or another, that's what gets installed and used.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with double slip switches where necessary.

I would go for one.  I've got one place on my layout where I could have used a double-slip if I'd thought of it.  The geometry doesn't demand it, and I'm not even sure I would use it all that much, but...these things are just so cool.  I happen to like interesting stretches of trackwork, particularly turnout combinations that are unusual and eye-catching.  Few things you can do with track compare with a double-slip in that regard.

MisterBeasley

I would go for one.  I've got one place on my layout where I could have used a double-slip if I'd thought of it.  The geometry doesn't demand it, and I'm not even sure I would use it all that much, but...these things are just so cool.  I happen to like interesting stretches of trackwork, particularly turnout combinations that are unusual and eye-catching.  Few things you can do with track compare with a double-slip in that regard.

Mister Beasley,

That is so funny and yet so true.  Double slip switches are truly too cool !

Rich

Gimmickry, simply gimmickry.  A double-slip switch is "just" two turnouts back-to-back, overlapping each other.  Give me two single cross-overs over one double cross-over.  Had a friend (civil engineer) help design a layout for me, and I spent MANY HOURS eliminating double-crossovers, double-slip switches, and three-way turnouts.  The layout was to represent a RURAL environment for goodness sake.  No need for gratuitous complexity. ... And I wouldn't think of operating a Big Boy on a backwoods logging railroad either.

Mark 

I have been studying a track diagram for the old Dearborn Station in Chicago and there is a considerable use of double slip switches in the station area.  Presumably, this was done to save space and eliminate S curves for the long passenger cars.

Double slip switches are also used extensively in freight yards for the same reasons.  So, double slip switches may be ideal for OP's needs.   Gimmicky?   No, more like practical.

Rich

richhotrain

Gimmicky?   No, ... 

... if in an appropriate setting.

markpierce

richhotrain

Gimmicky?   No, ... 

... if in an appropriate setting.

Yeah, I agree, you shouldn't use one just because they look cool.  But in the right circumtances, double slip switches are a godsend.

Rich

richhotrain

Yeah, I agree, you shouldn't use one just because they look cool.

EXCUSE ME!!!!?????? 

selector

EXCUSE ME!!!!?????? 

I think Crandell's picture of his hand-laid double slip demonstrates my point better than anything I could say.  Beautiful workmanship, beautiful photography and a beautiful scene.

Besides, doesn't it look cool?

selector

richhotrain

Yeah, I agree, you shouldn't use one just because they look cool.

EXCUSE ME!!!!?????? 

 

 

OHMYGOSH, DON'T LOCK THIS THREAD !!!

YOU SHOULD USE DOUBLE SLIP SWICHES SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DO LOOK COOL.

  ...

Heck, I think it was #4 on my list of "givens", just after a roundhouse and (working) turntable.  It was waaaay too important for the list of "druthers".

Thanks for your compliment, Mr. B. 

Okay, gotta take my blood pressure meds....where'd I put them...?

-Crandell

P.S - you guys are good sports. 

You should use double slip switches where it makes good sense to use them.  It's not likely that one would connect two industrial spurs to the same through track, but if there's a legitimate requirement to keep the yard throat short/free of S curves under backup moves (or to keep from slamming your passengers from side to side...)

Of course, when the pretty young lady looks at your hand-laid yard throat and says, "Hey! That's cool..."  (Of course, the PYL in question is my grand-daughter...)

The praise is nice.  Reducing the length of the throat by the length of a local freight - priceless!

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

tomikawaTT

Of course, when the pretty young lady looks at your hand-laid yard throat and says, "Hey! That's cool..."  (Of course, the PYL in question is my grand-daughter...)

Man, I wish I could get the women in my life to appreciate trackwork.  You are a lucky man.

I realized while reading Crandell's last post that double-slips are a bit like roundhouses and turntables.  They are way over-represented in the model world than in the real world.  Many of us diesel users have them, even though they are kind of anachronistic by the late Transition Era.  But, well, they're just so cool...

MisterBeasley

I realized while reading Crandell's last post that double-slips are a bit like roundhouses and turntables.  They are way over-represented in the model world than in the real world.  Many of us diesel users have them, even though they are kind of anachronistic by the late Transition Era.  But, well, they're just so cool...

I presume the UP RR retains its Dunsmuir turntable for snow-fighting equipment.

While the Dunsmuir roundhouse is gone, the "Mallet house" still stands (the structure over my left shoulder).

...and CN still uses its turntable in Pontiac, MI.  I watched an IC Geep go for a spin a couple of years ago.  The roundhouse there was in active use until the late 1990s.  So I guess I'd say uncommon more than anachronistic.

So I'm not completely OT, my yard's, main, A/D track, engine escape, and switching lead are all connected by a double-slip.  It helped me maximize train length on the A/D track and bought me more space for my engine service area.

To get back on topic:

I use them to get from the double track main line (far right) and branch to the yard and setup tracks:

 I used Peco doubleslips (the one Caboose Ind. groundthrow was temporary - I lost the Peco spring!). Using the doubleslips saved almost 6 feet of room that I didn't have.

modelmaker51

To get back on topic:

I use them to get from the double track main line (far right) and branch to the yard and setup tracks:

 I used Peco doubleslips (the one Caboose Ind. groundthrow was temporary - I lost the Peco spring!). Using the doubleslips saved almost 6 feet of room that I didn't have.

That looks so good.  No S-curve.  Just a smooth transition from one track to another.  Gotta love double slip switches.

Rich

               YIKES!

galaxy

               YIKES!

?

selector

galaxy

               YIKES!

 

 

?

Crandell,

Galaxy had not realized how cool double slip switches are until he read this thread.

Rich

Oh, in that case...!!