Wyes and switches
- Thread starter oplholik
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A wye is used when you want a pair of tracks to diverge at about a 45 degree angle. They are typically used as the two branches for a railroad wye. Think the letter "Y" and you'll have an idea of what it's supposed to look like. Wyes are sometimes used in yards to branch off engine or passenger car facilities from the main yard ladder. You can see some examples of typical uses of wye switches at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wye_(rail).
kenw
5th Generation Texian
basically, the need for a Y vs regular switch is based on the location. In a regular location one track will need to continue to go straight ahead without turning. Often that track is higher speed or sees much more traffic than the diverting route.
A Y switch is used where, due to space limitations or other reasons, neither of the tracks goes straight ahead.
Complicating the issue is that turning wyes (the track arrangement of 3 switches used to turn trains/locomotives around) don't always use Y switches (the actual switch device).
Many if not most turning wyes (as Jim mentions) are built using regular switches as part of an interchange of thru routes, and not a separate track feature just of turning locomotives (or entire trains).
A Y switch is used where, due to space limitations or other reasons, neither of the tracks goes straight ahead.
Complicating the issue is that turning wyes (the track arrangement of 3 switches used to turn trains/locomotives around) don't always use Y switches (the actual switch device).
Many if not most turning wyes (as Jim mentions) are built using regular switches as part of an interchange of thru routes, and not a separate track feature just of turning locomotives (or entire trains).
A wye is used where you want the tracks to diverge equilaterally. The frog of a wye switch is twice the number of a normal switch that diverges at the same angle from the track center. So a #4 wye has the same turnout curvature as a #8 switch.
Wyes are used where the tracks diverge equlaterally. They are handy for "center sidings" where a siding is placed between two main tracks, for turning wyes and in yards to create a rapid divergance, with the wye as the "pivot switch" and leads breaking off equally from both sides. They are also used in very high speed junctions from single to double main. A #20 wye has the equivalent divergance and turnout of a #40 switch.
Wyes are used where the tracks diverge equlaterally. They are handy for "center sidings" where a siding is placed between two main tracks, for turning wyes and in yards to create a rapid divergance, with the wye as the "pivot switch" and leads breaking off equally from both sides. They are also used in very high speed junctions from single to double main. A #20 wye has the equivalent divergance and turnout of a #40 switch.
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