I was recently given a few old Atlas double slip crossovers.
After reviewing their use I replaced my existing yard area by incorporating the double slips into the design of the yard area. As these are essentially both a crossover and a switch combined I increased the amount of trackage in the yard area substantially. I have never used these before.
I had no idea that these switches would so easily increase the amount of trackage in my yard area.
Don,
I never have heard of a double slip crossover.
Are you referring simply to a double slip?
Rich
Alton Junction
There is also such a thing as a double crossover. I looks like a curvy X with an angle crossing in the middle. A double slip is a switch with four entrances/exits and also has four sets of points. Also known as a puzzle switch.
Crandell
richhotrain Don, I never have heard of a double slip crossover. Are you referring simply to a double slip? Rich
Yes, I added the crossover. The box says simple "Double Slip Switch". The double slip is simply an X, a crossover and switch all in one unit. Really saves space in a yard.
Don, if you can excuse my own use of a DS as an example (there are many photos of them on the www), here is how I use mine. It is obviously able to run you 'cross' to the next track over, or even through it to the one beyond that....the second track over. So, it acts like a turnout's divergent path, a trough-route, and a crossover.
Selector
Your yard looks great, as does the rest of your layout.
I am so pleased having been introduced to the double slips. Never saw one until I was given the bunch of old Atlas switches
What size are your switches attached to the double slip?
If all of the tracks in the puzzle are parallel, all of the frogs should have the same number unless you're involved in some really adventurous tracklaying.
One of John Armstrong's layout books has several drawings that illustrate the dramatic longitudinal condensation of complex switchwork where double slips are used. That's the main reason that they're used by the prototype.
Another reason, familiar to me in prototype, is to assure through trains a straight (as in tangent, no S curves) shot through the odd switchwork needed to cram a station/meet and pass capability onto a narrow shelf between a tunnel mouth and a bridge over a deep ravine. Every train that stops there has to use one of the curved routes through the double slip (which is at one corner of an assymetrical 'diamond' double crossover.) Down (away from Tokyo) trains also get to use the other straight route through the double slip as they back from the stopping spur to the platform track.
That station (Higashi-Shiojiri on the O-me Hon-sen, now JR-East) may have been rebuilt in the 40-plus years since I passed through it - but the geography doesn't lend itself to easy change. [Edit] I stand corrected. The railroad was re-routed and double tracked in 1983. I'm still going to replicate the track arrangement at my Yamamoto station.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
don7 Selector... What size are your switches attached to the double slip?
Selector...
Don, the double-slip is a hand made #6, and it provides the middle ground for two Peco Insulfrog Code 83 #6 turnouts. All the others in my yard are also Pecos of the same type. I like them a lot. My only quibble with them is that their points rails are blade-like for much of their length, and not merely thinned rails. These turnouts have the nifty over-center spring.
Interesting.................I don't remember "Atlas" ever making a "double-slip" switch, or a complete crossover assembly, that's a new one on me..........
Mark
Double slip turnouts are more common in Europe. There're different types, here's one: You can have the tonges outside of the frogs or inside. Outside give a much bigger radius.
Wolfgang
Pueblo & Salt Lake RR
Come to us http://www.westportterminal.de my videos my blog
don7 richhotrain: Don, I never have heard of a double slip crossover. Are you referring simply to a double slip? Rich Yes, I added the crossover. The box says simple "Double Slip Switch". The double slip is simply an X, a crossover and switch all in one unit. Really saves space in a yard.
richhotrain: Don, I never have heard of a double slip crossover. Are you referring simply to a double slip? Rich
This is a confusing thread in my opinion.
As a recent reply indicated, Atlas is not a familiar name when it comes to double slip switches except in O gauge. Are we talking about O gauge here?
To me, a double slip switch is basically a crossing with movable points to permit divergent routing.
A double crossover is two pairs of turnouts in an X pattern.
A crossover is a single pair of turnouts.
A double slip provides 8 alternative divergent routings, a double crossover provides only 4 alternative divergent routings, and a crossover is limited to two alternative divergent routings.
At least that is the way that I look at it.
Tim Warris of Fast Track has made one:
(photos from Tim Warris)
Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:
My Railroad
My Youtube:
Graff´s channel
Forty Niner Interesting.................I don't remember "Atlas" ever making a "double-slip" switch, or a complete crossover assembly, that's a new one on me.......... Mark
Yes, they are HO and they came in an Altas box complete with an instruction sheet showing how to install them in a yard and a grid showing how to set your track centers. The model number is 127 for the brass version and 167 for the n/s. There is also a year on the instruction sheet, 1976.
I looked through the on-line Atlas catalog to order some more and noticed that they no longer carry them in HO only O scale . A number of manufactures offer the HO double slips Walthers, Shinohara, Marklin, Peco.
Note that Atlas is not a manufacturer, I assume that perhaps they are now contained in another brand say Shinohara
As I mentioned my yard area which was a series of ladders used to be in a triangle shape, now using the double slips it is now rectangluar in shape and there is substantially more track in place in the yard.
Well I found out that Atlas had imported these from Roco. Roco still makes these so I will order a few more of these.
I meant to mention that I have had very little problems with derailing, also there is a lot of metal in these switches and are surprisingly heavy.
I am so glad I happened upon these, what a difference in the yard area now. Have to go out and buy some more rolling stock now to fill the tracks.