90˚ crossings over two parallel mains

I need to make a 90˚ crossing over two parallel mains. I currently have the spacing at 1-1/2” but I can fudge it a little. What is the minimum spacing needed for Code 80. I already figure that I’m going to have to cut the crossing, but don’t know how much is too much.
I don’t have any crossings on hand to experiment with.

 

I’m not sure what you mean by minimum distance for C 80 track.
The size of the rail isn’t relevant to how far the track centers need to be.

The above photo shows multiple crossings of 45, 60 and 90 degrees. Track spacing is one and three eighths.

 

Oh wow, that’s pretty cool how you have that.
I was drawing it up XRrkCad and the stock C80 Crossings are fairly large, so I know that they have to be cut. I can’t think of what their called at the moment, but I was worried about the plastic guard rails on the crossing. I see you got them pretty close together. Do you have another close-up photo of that 90 crossing on the double tracks near the center?

 

WOW!!! That took planning!!!

 

Never mind, I got my answer.

Never mind, I just changed drawing programs to RTS and the 90°crossing worked fine without cutting anything. XTrkCad had the crossings too big. When I put them in it with XTrkCad the track spacing was 5”. mg:

 

I’m so confused! I just looked up a catalog picture of the Atlas N 2569 Code 80 Track 90 Degree Crossing and the picture sure looks like the XTrkCad crossing. I think that the RTS crossing is wrong. Does anybody know what’s up with that?
I wish I could get my hands on one of these so I can figure it out.
http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/Track/Trackphotos/2569.jpg

 

SD90NS, That interlocking looks like the way my head feels at the end of a long day. Does that track just loop back around in the closet or does it go somewhere else we can't see? I am asking because I also have a "loopback" planned to give the illusion of two separate branch lines that really just connect in a closet as I think yours does. Wondering how you use this in operations. Jamie

 

Johnny

The easiest way to do this is to plan your track the way you want with the track spacing you want, and then lay the two crossings on top of the two parallel tracks and determine where to make the cuts (about ½ the distance of the track centers) and cut one leg of each crossing. I did this with a couple of 60 degree (I think they were 60s) many years ago with out any problem.

As to the guardrails you most likely will not have to worry about them. One of 4 things will most likely happen with them

1. They will remain as is and there may be a space between them
2. They will remain as is and they will meet each other
3. They will get cut and meet each other
4. They will be destroyed and then you can replace them with some styrene and glue.

Gary

 

Unitrack might be the answer

Thanks guys!
Well if all else fails, I’m going to have a Unitrack 90˚ standing by to take its place. In fact I just might use the unitrack. :thumbs_up:

 

The C80 90 Deg crossing in RTS is cut to match the track spacing created using a pair of #6 turnouts as a crossover. You will need to cut the C80 90 Deg crossing as they come stock as 2 - 5" track sections mated at 90 Deg. Just about all their crossings will need to be modified in one way or another to maintain proper track spacing.

 

I did a similar track arrangement on my layout in two places. On one I messed up the insulation between the crossing track and the two mains so it caused an electrical short between the two. To recover from this I used a DPDT switch to wire the whole crossing like an interlocking signal. When one track is live, the crossing track is dead.

In any case, you can decide how you want to work this in advance. It may help you decide how you will cut the track pieces.

 

Ok, that explains it. Thanks Tony I wonder how many designed their layout using RTS and then discovered that things didn’t work as planned.

Thanks Flash, this is exactly what I need to hear. I’ve been trying to fit in a crossing on my layout for years just because I like the way they look. Now that I finally get to use one, I’ll probably end up with that problem. :tb-biggrin:

 

Originally posted by CSXDixieLine

“SD90NS, That interlocking looks like the way my head feels at the end of a long day. Does that track just loop back around in the closet or does it go somewhere else we can't see?”



To answer the question simply; yes.

The above is the track diagram for that region of my layout. It is a very tiny closet with a narrow door. This necessitated a very limited set of options with regards to entry angles for the track assuming I wanted the largest curve radius possible.

Since I wanted the mainline crossing to be outside the view-block the mainline crossing (Heavy black line) became 60 degree. From that starting point I wanted a line that went from the yard towards the docks and the mainline to the yard. (Dashed red lines) this combination lent me the possibility of having a wye (Third red dashed line) overlying the mainline “loop”. From there I got another track leaving the inner passing track and heading north into town (Green dashed line)

 

Here is a close up of a C80 diamond I put together for my layout..



You can see the original length of the legs of the crossing extending out. Careful planning and you can cut them so the tie spacing stays fairly even. I think I had to cut them down to 4 ties on one side and 3 on the other so I didn't end up with a gap.

Also, I don't cut the ties back for the rail joiner, I remove the first spikes on the first tie on each piece with an Xacto blade, then cut the rail joiners in half. You can slip the rail joiner between the tie and the rail this way and help preserve some integrity.

Oh and it is soldered together as a unit to make it easier to deal with and maintain track allignement.

 

Hey Thanks Tony! :thumbs_up:
That’s perfect and great picture. I now know exactly what I need to do now. Infact I like it so much that I’m going to try and fit in another one. :tb-biggrin: