de N2MPU Jack
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Modeling the NYC/NYNH&H in HO and CPRail/D&H in N
jackn2mpu wrote:I'm in the process of re-building one of my HO scale layouts using Atlas code 83 flex track and turnouts. My question is, what is/are the track-to-track centerline distances when the parallel lines are joined by a pair of #4 and #6 turnouts in typical crossover fashion? This assuming no modifications to the turnouts themselves. Is it 2" dean on, smaller or larger, and by how much? I need to know so I can properly lay-out track/roadbed centerlines.
The 2" is fine for the straight portions and yards. A wider 2 1/4- 2 1/2" should be used on turns for clearance issues of pilot and side overhangs.
Some will use a wider spacing in yards to allow finger room and reading reporting marks/ numbers.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
Typical prototype dimensions for track centers are:
Main tracks: 15' was typical until fairly recently, now 20' is preferred. 25' would be nice to have, everyone agrees, but it's generally too expensive to adopt (because the subgrade costs get very high). On some lines 14' is found in places.
Siding to main: 15' typical
Yard tracks: 15' preferred but 13' acceptable.
Industry tracks: 15' preferred, 13' minimum except in special cases.
S. Hadid
That, of course, depends on the specs of the turnouts. Some of the layout planning tools may have the specs, and I think Atlas has printed templates you could use.
I'd say, get a couple of the actual turnouts and see what actually works in the real world. If necessary, you can get the tracks a bit farther apart by using a short piece of flex between the turnouts. Getting them closer would require trimming them a bit.
Depending on just where these tracks are, you also want to consider access -- if they're in a yard, 2-inch spacing is pretty close. If they're near, say, a double-track bridge, you'll want to consider what spacing can be used in the bridge.
Jack,
I'm not sure if you are referring to the Atlas Custom Line Code 83 turnouts, but if you are, according to XTrkCad, the #6 Custom Line turnouts will produce a centerline spacing of 2.67" without modifying the diverging leg of the turnout. The program doesn't have the #4 listed in the library as a Custom Line, but in the Mark Line Series, both the #4 and #6 turnouts will produce a 2" centerline spacing. I think that the Mark Line Series is Code 100 track, but I'm not sure.
I hope this helps.
Don Z.
Research; it's not just for geeks.
I am using 3rd planit and my yard is set at 2 1/4" spacing. The #6 atlas will have to be trimmed to fit here... I would recommend going wider than 2" especially if you have 85' cars. I have heavy weight passenger cars and I will be using wider spacing on the mainline.
Roger
To answer several responses with one message:
I do have the actual turnouts, but as we all know, one can force something to fit a specific dimension if one tries. I'm not interested in what prototype centers are, I just wanted to know what the centers are when using these turnouts, unmodified. I don't run anything longer than 50' freight cars; think transition era equipment.
I was aware that the spacing using Custom-Line and the Mark Line were different, I just didn't know the particulars. It looks like the Custom Line will make for a wider spacing than the Mark Line.
The turnouts are the part numbers in the 56x series which are Custom-Line pieces.
This is just for along a section of parallel straight track; I already have a much more generous spacing for my curves.
I don't know about #4's but 2 Atlas customLine #6 joined directly together results in a 2" center to center track spacing. I use this in 3 places on my layout.
I would think that 2 Atlas #4 connected together would be less than 2", but I haven't tried it to find out.