|
Post by cera2254 on Jun 20, 2021 8:25:22 GMT -8
I am in the process of starting to build my layout, which is a double deck representation of Conrail’s Columbus OH to Chicago main line, or at least a portion of it. My staging yards both have a double main that comes into them. The other staging yard which I have done is a big loop so it worked out nicely, but the other will have a ladder at both ends. It will have tortises and control panels. I’m considering a design like this that incorporates a few double slips, good idea or bad idea? That’s the only way I could come up with to potentially be able to move two trains simultaneously at the same time. Thoughts? flic.kr/p/2m6G31J
|
|
|
Post by keystonefarm on Jun 20, 2021 9:35:29 GMT -8
How accessible is your staging ? Double slips are called puzzle switches by many. Will you be backing long trains through them ? -- Ken
|
|
|
Post by 12bridge on Jun 20, 2021 13:28:20 GMT -8
I have run on plenty of layouts that used them in staging with no issues at all.
The "Don't use double slips they are trouble" is just one of those things from old timers that wont go away.
|
|
|
Post by cp6027 on Jun 20, 2021 14:30:09 GMT -8
I don't know your intended operating plan for these 10 staging tracks, so perhaps there are operational reasons to justify this particular layout. However, I question if you need all of the routing flexibility that these three double slips provide.
For example, the first double slip (at bottom left) doesn't actually facilitate any "parallel moves" of two trains at once. It does allow the "west" (or left or outside) main to connect to staging tracks 1, 2 and (numbered from the bottom up). However, this could also be accomplished by a right-hand crossover between the two main tracks located between the word "HELIX" and the first turnout into staging track 1.
The other two double slips really only facilitate two possible moves (direct from the west main to Track 4 for the middle double slip, and direct from the west main to Track 7 for the top double slip) and a few corresponding parallel moves (like W->4 and E->3 simultaneously for example). All of the other moves could be accomplished by taking the double slips out and inserting standard turnouts and right-hand crossovers in their place. Either way, the double slips or crossovers will impact the spacing of turnouts on the ladder and/or the track center spacing pattern of the staging tracks.
If you don't need the flexibility to get from either main track to every staging track, there are much simpler arrangements. For example, if you can assign five staging tracks to each direction, simply connect Tracks 1-5 to the inside "east" main with a standard ladder and Tracks 6-10 to the outside "west" main with a standard ladder. Since the two ladders are not continuous but slightly staggered, the inside "east" main ladder can terminate with a turnout into Track 6, giving that track the flexibility to connect to either main. This arrangement will allow you to have two trains run in/out of staging at the same time. It does, however, limit your flexibility and requires many of the tracks to only be accessible from one of the mains. Crossovers between the mains before the Track 1 turnout can add some of this flexibility if needed (but do not facilitate parallel moves).
|
|
|
Post by cera2254 on Jun 20, 2021 16:07:57 GMT -8
How accessible is your staging ? Double slips are called puzzle switches by many. Will you be backing long trains through them ? -- Ken They will be under the lower scenic level but they will be fairly close to the edge. Backing up through them should be minimal.
|
|
|
Post by cera2254 on Jun 20, 2021 16:11:44 GMT -8
cp6027, you bring up some good points. I did not think about replacing that first double slip with a single crossover. Essentially the main track on bottom will end up as the inbound track and the one on top as the outbound. I don't really have the space to push the yard tracks further apart to put in crossovers.
|
|
|
Post by fr8kar on Jun 20, 2021 20:50:56 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by edwardsutorik on Jun 21, 2021 7:28:11 GMT -8
I LIKE that picture!
Thanks,
Ed
|
|
|
Post by slowfreight on Jun 21, 2021 16:24:01 GMT -8
I'm reminded of a past layout of my youth, where I used #4 slip switches to get better double-track access into the yard. IIRC, I was able to shove lengthy cuts across it without much trouble.
Well-laid track--which sometimes mean tuning factory-made switches--is reliable whether curved or double-slip switches are used or not. Likewise, sometimes my regular #6 switches give grief if I don't tune them.
Still, simpler is better and I would only use specialty pieces like that if I didn't have the space to ladder regular switches. In that way, it's not far off from the prototype, where I get yelled at any time I suggest using a diamond instead of just switches.
|
|