Hi,
I am trying to use 2 inch spacing between tracks. Some how one
line of tracks has 1 inch and 1/2 spacing. How do I correct this
problem? All switches are Atlas No. 6, code 100. I measured all
the switches, and they are 12 inches long.
Atlas 'Customline' turnout ladders should space out to 2". Lay out 2" lines on your board - then start laying out the ladder. Do not trust just butting the turnouts together. There needs to be a small gap for expansion.
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
John Armstrong, dean of track design has always recommended a minimum track center on straight tracks at 2 inches. If you have 1 1/2 inches, relay to 2 inch centers.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
My main lower level staging yard tracks are 2" apart, on 3" centres, using mostly Atlas #6 turnouts...
...while those on the upper level are 3" apart, on 4" centres...
I would have preferred them closer together, with more staging tracks, in both cases, but the amount of space (lengthwise) taken up by the turnouts precluded additional tracks. Any such tracks would have been too short to be of use.
Wayne
The "Atlas Custom-Line Layouts book I have shows a #6 ladder as having 1 3/4" spacing. It says to add a 1 1/2" piece of straight track between each switch.
You say you have 1 1/2" spacing, I suggest you lay your base track next to a yardstick and layout several switches and enough track on each to recheck your measurement. You can cut flex track to whatever length you need to get the desired spacing between your tracks.
If your tracks are hard to see or reach, you may want to have them a little further apart.
Good luck,
Richard
If one track came out with an odd spacing you may have a kink between the turnout to that track and the one on the narrower side.
It is always better to lay out track lines (ladder and body tracks) and then lay the track and switches to the line. The Mark 1 mod 0 eyeball isn't always a precision instrument when it comes to judging track alignment and spacing.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
In a hidden service yard, looks are not so important. You can put them as close together or as far apart as you would like.
LION recommends that you save room for the 0-5-0 switcher!
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS