14.3 degree crossing

[pamelapeterson]

In the October 2002 issue of MR, Andy talks about including a 14.3 degree crossover.

I have asked several model railroad vendors if they have heard of this degree cross-over.

They went on-line and they couldn't locate one(1).

Does anyone have any idea where one(1) can purchase such a crossover???

Thank You in advance for your assistance.

Respectfully

Brooklyn Bob

PS: HO Scale

 

[markpierce]

In the context of railroad tracks, a crossover is not a crossing.  A crossover is the track and related turnouts connecting two close parallel tracks.  A crossing is where one track passes through another.

Peco makes a 12-degree crossing in code 100.  You could possibly build one yourself for pennies or have one custom made for a reasonable price if the angle and rail size of Peco's isn't suitable.

Double crossovers have a crossing where the two crossovers cross themselves (say that 10 times quickly).  There the angle of the crossing is dependent on the sharpness of the turnouts.  One can purchase double crossovers completely built.

Mark

[cuyama]

The 14.3 degree crossing is suggested to match the Walthers #8 double slips and #8 turnouts. I do not believe there is a commercial crossing part available, which is probably why the plan shows it as "optional" -- one would need to handlay that component.

If you are building the track plan as shown, you don't absolutely need this crossing. The flow of traffic in and out of the station can happen without it, you just have to be careful about where the trains are placed in the staging yard.

A "crossing" is where two tracks cross without switch points.

 A "crossover" implies two turnouts to allow trains to change paths as they pass through or between two (usually) parallel tracks.

A "double crossover" combines the equivalent of four turnouts and a crossing to allow any-to-any paths from two (usually) parallel tracks.

What the plan suggests is creating a double crossover from addtional turnouts and a handlaid crossing.

Is a double crossover what you are looking for?

If you are building a different design and just want want a double crossover, there are commercial options. But it would help to know what you are trying to do.

Byron

[Coldbear]

Hi,

 If you can convert it then Märklin does both points and crosses in 14.3 degrees. I my self uses these as they do give a nicer look.

 Martin

[Sperandeo]

Hello Bob,

In that article I was specifying the degree of crossing needed for a no. 8 scissors crossover, but it's true that no such crossing is made for two-rail HO track. (Marklin's stud-contact track is essentially three-rail.) A crossing like that would have to be a scratchbuilding project, which is why I indicated that crossover as optional on the track plan. As a guide for building crossings, I recommend the article, "Scratchbuild a track crossing," by Robert F. Cushman, in the September 1956 Model Railroader, page 46. Cushman also wrote an excellent two-part article on scratchbuilding double-slip switches, in the  September and October 1953  issues of MR, pages  63 and 64 respectively.  Photocopies of articles from out-of- print back issues may be ordered on this Web site, or by e-mail to [e-mail].

Thanks for your interest in my NOUPT track plan,

Andy 

[pamelapeterson]

Thank you for your reply.

I'm attempting to emulate part of the passenger throat leading into Amtrak's Chicago Union Station. The crossing consists of four(4) doubleslips with a crossing between them. I have a track plan in mind to do this.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Respectfully

Biker Bob

[cuyama]

If you don't wish to handlay the crossings, the easiest commercial alternative would probably be to use #6 double slips and the equivalent crossing (which are available).

But if you must have #8 double slips, then you'll need to handlay the crossings or have them custom-made.

The other choice would be to consider alternate track arrangements that don't absolutely require the crossings, of course, just as in the original article.

Best of luck.

[Sperandeo]

Hi Bob,

I can appreciate what you're trying to model, and I encourage you to go for it. I showed the Cushman article to a friend of mine who only recently began handlaying track, and in short order he was building his own crossings to fit on his layout.

So long,

Andy