Turntables and Wyes

[JCater]

OK, since we are in NG we all must use turntables or wyes or both. How many do you use, what are their sizes and how do they function (turning mainline locos or shortline workhorses)? We are planning three turntables and one wye on the C&S. Two turntables will be on either end of the mainline and one will be on the Climax branchline for the 0-4-0s.
John

[BoxcabE50]

Unless a person has a lot of space, a turntable is usually the better option. To make a wye of reasonable appearance, takes up a lot of space. You can go with ultra tight radius track to save room. But then you may also experience limitations on what will negotiate the curves.



Boxcab E50

[JCater]

That's exactly right, and wyes in On30 are huge. Ours will actually be part of a short cut through the scenery block. We will have two large turntables and one small one. I have noticed on prototypes that wyes are fairly common because they were cheaper to build than turntables.
John

[BoxcabE50]

Correct. A wye was far cheaper to build, and maintain.



Boxcab E50

[JCater]

The Wye's on the Cumbres and Toltec and the one on the Durango and Silverton (Both ex-DRG) are still in tact and in use. I have shot trains turning on both. Unfortunately, modeling a usable wye in On30 is fairly impractical. I have built them in HO and N and the one planned on our C & S is small, unlikely ever to turn trains.
John

[BoxcabE50]

I had a wye on my last N scale layout. Which worked well. But took some planning to squeeze it in.



Boxcab E50

[JCater]

So do you currently have any turntables or wyes? How do they function on your layout?
John

[cwwrman]

Well I am not a narrow gauger but I am planning on building a small town near where I grew up to scale in N-scale. One of the features of this town was the depot sitting at the base of the wye and 2 legs of the wye crossing the state hwy. After careful planning with the room I have avavilable I have came to the conclusion that I am going to build 2-legs of the wye and where they would come together for the 3rd leg right after crossing the state hwy, I will have them end up against the wall at that point giving the illusion of having an active wye. This might work in your case since you said you doubt you would ever turn a locomotive on it anyways.
Boxcab you might know what town I am talking about since you are an avid Milw person. I will give you a hint the furthest point east on a Milw branchline in the Tacoma Division.

[JCater]

Sounds like it will work in N and I could definately try it in O, although I expect my wye will actually need all three legs as it will be a working interchange across the scenic divider.
John

[BoxcabE50]

Originally Posted by cwwrman

Boxcab you might know what town I am talking about since you are an avid Milw person. I will give you a hint the furthest point east on a Milw branchline in the Tacoma Division.

Hmmmm. I've been running this one through my mind a while. Tacoma Division? Hmmm. That's NP. Am certain you mean Coast Division? On the west side of the Cascades? Perhaps Morton?

Hmmmm. The answer is?



Boxcab E50