N-Gauge Double Turnouts?

ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.


insomniville

insomniville

Well-Known Member
There are so many options that I have questions about. Peco vs. Atlas? Code 80 vs Code 55? On and on and on... But that all seems like it ends up being mostly opinion, so I'm avoiding posting yet another question on that. Instead, I'll ask something different:

I'm considering a dual-track mainline for my first layout module, but there's a point in the plan where I want it to be able to switch out -- both tracks -- to another dual-track line. This seems like it's apparently an uncommon scenario; the only pre-built component I've found for this so far is the Kato Unitram turnout (40-212, I think, or thereabouts?) (edit: it's probably 40-210 or 40-211 depending on direction). So my question is this:

Are there any other double-track turnouts? Or appropriate turnout/crossing combinations that will plug together to create one? Or am I stuck with hand-laying track for something like this?
 
bnsf971 said:

Amazon.com: Kato KAT20210 N 310mm 12-3/16" Double Crossover : Arts, Crafts & Sewing

Amazon.com: Kato KAT20210 N 310mm 12-3/16" Double Crossover : Arts, Crafts & Sewing
www.amazon.com
Click to expand...
That one I've seen, but I'm not looking for a between-tracks crossover like that. Instead I'm looking for a double turnout.

The general idea is that there are turnouts on both tracks, and then a crossover where that results in one track crossing the other because they're so close together. So the points either diverge both tracks onto two other tracks, or remain straight on the original two tracks.

Does that make sense, or am I explaining poorly?

This is similar to the layout I'm looking for: Unitram Electric Turnout

But so far I'm not planning on using Unitrak or Unitram, so other options are needed. =)
 


insomniville said:
There are so many options that I have questions about. Peco vs. Atlas? Code 80 vs Code 55? On and on and on... But that all seems like it ends up being mostly opinion, so I'm avoiding posting yet another question on that. Instead, I'll ask something different:

I'm considering a dual-track mainline for my first layout module, but there's a point in the plan where I want it to be able to switch out -- both tracks -- to another dual-track line. This seems like it's apparently an uncommon scenario; the only pre-built component I've found for this so far is the Kato Unitram turnout (40-212, I think, or thereabouts?) (edit: it's probably 40-210 or 40-211 depending on direction). So my question is this:

Are there any other double-track turnouts? Or appropriate turnout/crossing combinations that will plug together to create one? Or am I stuck with hand-laying track for something like this?
Click to expand...

Drawn using standard Atlas code 80 track. No magic here. Just a matter of matching the turnout departure angle to that of the crossing. A number 6 turnout would be right at 10 degrees of crossing.
1750799597099.png
 
That makes sense, though I don't see an atlas 10 degree crossing offhand; I could just be missing it. Peco does make one, though, apparently. Also looks like you have to kinda finagle with tiny straight pieces to get to whatever your desired track spacing is, which is vaguely annoying.

I'm still undecided on what my track spacing should actually be, though. Given my preference for >= 15" radius curves, and combined with what NMRA says, I'm guessing about 1.5" center-to-center? I need to get some track out and play with it to see (a) what looks right, and (b) how well my passenger cars will pass. I really should order some flex track to play with...

Should track spacing be different between curves and straight sections? That's another factor. I feel like it's correct to keep it all at the same distance, curved or straight, but I don't know how it's done in the Real World.

All that said, I now understand a little more thanks to your explanation, and will continue tinkering. Thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.




Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)

Back
Top