I've seen this referenced several times and done a bit of searching but I can't find a "solid" defenition of what this is.
I was reading a post a few down from here regarding the terms: swtich, turnout, etc.
So along those same lines, as I understand it and in lamens terms, a switch can be your normal switch (on / off ie toggle) and/or a "turnout" depending on the content of the post. However it would be a best practice, when referring to your rails to use a turnout as this removes a point of confusion (i.e. switch = on / off, switch = choice of two directions to take on your rails, again please this is lamens terms).
That all said, what is a "slipswitch" and how does it differ from a normal turnout and is a term like switchturnout a sysnonym or a made up word (I just thought that up)
http://www.railserve.com/jump/jump.cgi?ID=2006
handlaidtrack.com
I made the switch you see in the far foreground using the Fast Tracks system.
Well I wish I had known what those were about 3-4 months ago LOL. Althought I'd end up trying to put in on a higher speed zone and not a "yard" per-say. It appears to be near a 15degree "turnout" of sorts, would that be about right? I'm not one for following the rules though LOL
Do they make them against criteria like 15 degree or are they a set degree?
I'm checking atlasrr.com and a few others in attempts to find an n-scale one, just curious if they are manufactured or if you have to make your own.
Thank you both for the posts.
Peco offers one in HO that would be near a #4.5 (that would be getting up to the 15 deg range), and the ones that Fast Tracks yields are either #6 or #8. Since I wanted one in the yard, I built a #6.
You should understand that, since they are used almost exclusively in yards, and in my case between close ladder tracks, they tend to impart an S-curve problem with longer stock. So, while my #6 seems to keep my Walthers heavyweights smiling at yard speeds, I don't believe they would be nearly as happy with one of the Peco turnouts, no matter where you placed it or how fast you crossed it.
I don't see any reason why you should feel the least bit self-conscious about using whatever you need wherever you need it in order to make your layout bloom. But if you are operating larger diesels, and certainly longer pax cars, autoracks, and any steamer larger than a USRA Mike, I would not use the Peco.
(I don't know about N scale, though...never dealt with the scale and the equipment available commercially for it.)
I still need more links in my MRR internet arsonal. Not having any luck finding these in n-scale just yet but still looking. I'll check my walters catalog once I'm home.
If by chance someone catchs this post and may have one in n-scale, any info would be great.
I adjusted my track plan to compensate for something exactly like this and I didn't care for the solution as it doesn't have the flow I would have liked. I ended up putting in two switchs and making a bunch of other adjustments to "fit" the two in. I recall seeing someting like this in the walters catalog though, just not sure if it was kato only or not.
once again, thanks.
EDIT
switch=turnout (breaking my "own" best practice ROFL).
http://www.fiferhobby.com/html/peco_code_55_n_scale_model_tra.html
I don't know if they have them, but there's my first hit. I hope it works....expensive!
I'll keep looking.
http://www.nscalesupply.com/PEC/PEC-.html Whew, did I say expensive?!
http://www.hobbylinc.com/prods/ukg_6.htm Gulp!
Just type "n scale,double slip" in the search field at the top of our homepage, and check 'em all out.
selector wrote: http://www.fiferhobby.com/html/peco_code_55_n_scale_model_tra.htmlI don't know if they have them, but there's my first hit. I hope it works....expensive! I'll keep looking.http://www.nscalesupply.com/PEC/PEC-.html Whew, did I say expensive?!http://www.hobbylinc.com/prods/ukg_6.htm Gulp!Just type "n scale,double slip" in the search field at the top of our homepage, and check 'em all out.
Expensive is relative. since it is pretty much four turnouts in the space of one the price isn't absurd.
Fifer has (in theory) updated inventory on line, and has them. Make sure you know if you want single slip or double slip, so you get what you need.
Jeff But it's a dry heat!
Thanks again for the posts and links. All my other track is atlas code 80, not real comfortable spending that kind of cash on a code 55 when it may not work "just right" and it sounds like these slip switchs could be a bit finiky.
Ultimatly I'd like to find an atlas one with the twin coil motor as all my other stuff is "above" table. Perhaps the solution I have right now will have to stay as it is :\ (but that's ok, if they don't make it, I'll have to live with that) :)
Well, I suppose you are right, Jeff. Although, I paid US$30 for a Shinohara #6 DS @ traintracks.com three months ago, a better turnout if you ask me.
-Crandell
selector wrote: Well, I suppose you are right, Jeff. Although, I paid US$30 for a Shinohara #6 DS @ traintracks.com three months ago, a better turnout if you ask me.-Crandell
And a good deal, I'd say! I am planning one on my layout, and I'm planning (hoping) to handlay it, mostly to prove I can!
Jason- I may be mistaken, but I don't think Atlas has made an N-scale slipswitch, so finding one might be challenging.
Jason-Train wrote: I still need more links in my MRR internet arsonal. Not having any luck finding these in n-scale just yet but still looking. I'll check my walters catalog once I'm home.If by chance someone catchs this post and may have one in n-scale, any info would be great.I adjusted my track plan to compensate for something exactly like this and I didn't care for the solution as it doesn't have the flow I would have liked. I ended up putting in two switchs and making a bunch of other adjustments to "fit" the two in. I recall seeing someting like this in the walters catalog though, just not sure if it was kato only or not.once again, thanks.EDITswitch=turnout (breaking my "own" best practice ROFL).
I've found, or found reference to, 3 N scale slip switches...Peco's code 55, Model Power's I'm assuming code 80, and according to XtrkCad's paramater files a Rocco, also assuming code 80. Kato does not make a double slip, but does make a double crossover.
As has been noted, Peco's is pricy. I believe Model Power's has been discontinued, but within the last week or so, I've seen it listed on sights as "available" for around $30. Other than XtrkCads reference, I've seen no sign of the Rocco's, but I have some old HO Model Power curved turnouts that were actually repackaged Roccos.
The Model Power unites are labeled as 15 degree R3/R4...I'm assuming that those refer to some kind of radius through the "legs" of the turnout. I've posted questions on that in a couple forums and have gotten no response.
One bit of information gleaned from this thread thwarts my intended use anyway...I wanted to put one mid way on a hidden main curve to allow two hidden staging spurs to meet the main there. But it's been mentioned that they are not a good idea on a main line, so scratch one more idea.
Reality...an interesting concept with no successful applications, that should always be accompanied by a "Do not try this at home" warning.
Hundreds of years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...But the world may be different because I did something so bafflingly crazy that my ruins become a tourist attraction.
"Oooh...ahhhh...that's how this all starts...but then there's running...and screaming..."
Who says you can't use a double slip switch on a main line???
Longer ago than I like to admit, I came upon the following:
Main line (on a continuous grade) crossed a bridge, then entered the portal of a (rather long) tunnel about thirty meters farther on - running straight through a double slip switch. The opposite straight route had stub sidings at both ends, the one to the north being a little more elaborate (two spurs with a passenger platform between.)
Upgrade trains stopping at the station would take the curved side of the slip switch, stop short of the bumper, then back across the main and into the 'down' spur at the platform. Departing, they would again take the curved route and enter the tunnel.
Downgrade trains would take the curved route and head loco-first into the 'up' spur. They would back across the main, then take the curved route to cross the bridge and resume their interrupted trip to Shinjuku.
It was theoretically possible to have two trains in the clear at once, while a non-stop train blasted straight through the 'one double slip' interlocking. I know that when my upgrade train backed in, the downgrade train across the platform started rolling as soon as the signals cleared.
(If you think I'm planning to replicate this on my layout... My station name will be Yamamoto.)
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
tomikawaTT wrote: Who says you can't use a double slip switch on a main line???Longer ago than I like to admit, I came upon the following:Main line (on a continuous grade) crossed a bridge, then entered the portal of a (rather long) tunnel about thirty meters farther on - running straight through a double slip switch. The opposite straight route had stub sidings at both ends, the one to the north being a little more elaborate (two spurs with a passenger platform between.)Upgrade trains stopping at the station would take the curved side of the slip switch, stop short of the bumper, then back across the main and into the 'down' spur at the platform. Departing, they would again take the curved route and enter the tunnel.Downgrade trains would take the curved route and head loco-first into the 'up' spur. They would back across the main, then take the curved route to cross the bridge and resume their interrupted trip to Shinjuku.It was theoretically possible to have two trains in the clear at once, while a non-stop train blasted straight through the 'one double slip' interlocking. I know that when my upgrade train backed in, the downgrade train across the platform started rolling as soon as the signals cleared.(If you think I'm planning to replicate this on my layout... My station name will be Yamamoto.)Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Ya know, if I could find somone with some experiance with the Model Power double slips, I'd be tempted to give it a try on a temporary loop. But since they are discontinued units, I worry that they were discontinued because they are junk...and because I have no idea what the effective radius would be taking the curved route through the double slip. R3/R4 to me is meaningless. On my budget, I have to do what I can to narrow the odds of not wasting money on a folly.
>>Re: What is a Slipswitch<<
Slipswitch, Noun
When you have finished lunch and its too soon for dinner and you have a sandwich for a snack. That would be a sandwich sliped in between lunch and dinner, Thusly, a "slip(ed in sand)wich.
Your post has, however, given me thought to adding one instead of a cumbersome number of switches. I just wonder how reliable they are and how well the engines will traverse it.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Hi: I model in HO and I have a Peco Double Slip Switch. When a Degree number is given, it is the degree angle of the crossing part of it. The Peco I have is a 12 Deg. Crossing. I don't know what the frog #'s would be. Mine are not on a curve, it is where 2 tracks cross and you can also change tracks.
Sam
In the early 70s, when I modelled N scale, I had slip switches from both Atlas and Rapido. The Rapido ones were very sharp and toy-like. The Atlas one was lomger - maybe a number 6 - but I didn't think it was very good as wheels kept slipping between the points and the stock rails. I also think it had only 2 points at each end. (Thinks: must see if I still have any of these!)
I now have 2 Peco HO gauge slips and they generally don't give any problems.
--David