I'm a yard hog. I want as much of my rolling stock on the layout as possible. Using Kato #6 turnouts: Stub end yard 5 foot by 9 inch area Ladder track - 4 tracks - 150 inches of yard Compound ladder - 7 tracks -200 inches Down sides Esthetics – It is just plain ugly versus a nice clean ladder track yard Ease: - Reaching the switch machines. In a ladder track - they are all in a line. In a compound ladder they are all over the place. Manipulating the cars: In the compound ladder the distance from tie to tie is ½ inch in some places Up side: Storage - 25 percent more, (depending on how you do the numbers) What am I missing?
Ok, a diagram tonight. The overlay does not show very well the tie to tie distance. [ July 12, 2005, 10:21 PM: Message edited by: Grey One ]
Steve, it is possible to trim the Kato #6 switch down so you can do a proper ladder with them. Out of the box, a Kato #6 has a diverging route designed to fit in place of a 15 degree 28" radius curve section. That geometry is wrong for building a compact ladder, crossovers between parallel tracks, etc. - there is too much "curve" on that side of the switch. The Kato double crosover packs the points and the frogs of 4 number 6's and a diamond into that one unit. Trimming a #6 lets you make other track arrangements just as compact. Richie (UP1950s) cut down some of his. I tried to explain it in general terms on another board a while back, and only succeeded in having a couple of people go ballistic because I could not cough up the exact measurements on demand. I'd better let Richie explain where he made the cuts. I plan to use cut down #6's on my new layout, and could us a refresh myself.
I've used number 4s, saves a lot of small, looks real purty. I know everyone says that cars will pick the points but with a file and a little eyeballing thats completely alleviated. I have just as many problems with #6s as I do with 4s but thats because the freight yard is 4s and the passenger yard is 6s.
That doesn't matter if you use the BCD (Binary Capacitor-Discharge) circuit to control your turnouts. It's inexpensive, uses ordinary toggle switches, and can be arranged to do route control either from toggles or a rotary switch.
That doesn't matter if you use the BCD (Binary Capacitor-Discharge) circuit to control your turnouts. It's inexpensive, uses ordinary toggle switches, and can be arranged to do route control either from toggles or a rotary switch. </font>[/QUOTE]Please, do tell me more or start a thread in the "Electronics and DCD" forum. Thanks
I am planning a new addition to my layout using Kato Unitrack and have the same problem regarding track spacing using #6 turnouts. So far, my answer has been to use #4 turnouts. I only have a few so far but only one caused problems with stock derailing. A quick file of the blades seems to have solved that one. I could be being a bit slow but I don't understand why a compound ladder would allow seven tracks and a normal one only four. I understand the four as that is all I cold fit in but I don't see why you can get seven with a compund as the track spacing is surely the same. Please put me right if I have missed the obvious. It could help me with my planning. Regards, Dave
Its tighter because with 6s your tracks tend to be spaced out quite widely. With a compound each switch in the second row (ie not in the ladder itself) splits the difference and a tighter space between each track results. cheers
With some carfeul adjustment of the points, the Unitrack #4 turnouts work without problems. It takes all of two minutes to fix. Stay cool and run steam...
Link to John Sing's photo tutorial on Kato #4 turnouts: http://www.railimages.com/gallery/johnsing?page=1 So easy I can do it.
Krasny:- Thanks but I still don't see it. I will have to have a play tomorrow with my track and see if I can then see what appears to be the obvious. If not, then I will stick with # 4's for my yard and use #6's everywhere else. Regards, Dave
David, I'll try to get a photo of the two arrangements. Might be several days. [ July 13, 2005, 02:50 PM: Message edited by: Grey One ]
For my switching yard on the JJJ&E I used a combination of Unitrak #6 and #4 turnouts. This mix of the two seemed to work well for me. Stay cool and run steam.....
If you are going to be standing at the bottom of the diagram, I would recommend the ladder be flipped top for bottom. Easier to see switches are set properly, that a switcher coming in has indeed coupled to its train, stuff like that. Try it both ways and see.
I tried to explain this to a non – railroad person by email. It didn’t make sense. Folks here have a better base to start with but I thought I would re – do it. Has this discussion helped anyone at all? Would anyone like to see a comparison made with the actual track?
Steve, I understand the term compound ladder but I still don't see why it allows more tracks in a given space using #6 turnouts. For my sake, if no-one elses I would like to see the comparison with actual track. This thread could be of much use to me as I am currently planning a similar size yard area. Many thanks, Dave
I _should_ be able to have those sometime on Friday night, (East Coast US). I use #6 in my yard because I have several 85 foot freight cars and I will be pushing 4 foot trains into them. I could _probably_ get away with #4s, (which would give me even more yard space). I do use #4s for spurs and anywhere else on the GandG short line // Note: My layout comprises of: A fantasy subdivision of the GN / CP – Uses #6s exclusively The Grey and Grandure which is a short line serving the Grey Valley – Uses #6s in the yard / interchange track and #4s for all other track including passing sidings and spurs.
Due to Murphy working overtime Steve - the Grey One asked me to post this for him. I have uploaded several pics of Compound Ladder vs Straight Ladder track yard design using kato track. The pictures are of a Ladder Yard and a Compound Yard with the total storage possible in a 9 1/2 inches by 5 foot area. The dimension was chose because that is what I have available. Results: Straight Ladder: 180 inches Compound Ladder: 227 inches http://www.railimages.com/gallery/Yard_Design