Questions about Track spacing

Midniteflyer1 Nov 15, 2010

  1. Midniteflyer1

    Midniteflyer1 TrainBoard Member

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    Can anyone tell ne what the standard is for center to center track spacing in HOn3? Also is there somewhere that i can see a diagram for wiring 3-way stub switchs. I will be using DCC.

    Thanks for the help in advance! :tb-smile:
     
  2. Wolfgang Dudler

    Wolfgang Dudler Passed away August 25, 2012 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Look at the NMRA RP's.
    You will find there a lot of answers.

    I've used a spacing of 6 cm or more. That's more than with standard gauge, there I've from 46 mm for class tracks to 50 mm for line.

    A three-way- turnout is wired just like two following turnouts. You have two frogs, one frog belongs to the first points and the other to the second points.

    [​IMG]

    Wolfgang
     
  3. tooter

    tooter TrainBoard Member

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    Wow... did you build that?
    Did you use a jig, or build it freehand?

    Greg
     
  4. Wolfgang Dudler

    Wolfgang Dudler Passed away August 25, 2012 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    I use only a paper template for the turnouts. One of the seven certificates for my Master Model Railroader was Civil engineer. Until now I've build 100+ turnouts, soldered to PC board ties. And quite a few crossings.
    This was build with code 55 rail. It took me about four hours.

    Again, the two frogs to the left belong to one turnout and the frog far at the right to the other turnout.

    Wolfgang
     
  5. DSP&P fan

    DSP&P fan TrainBoard Member

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    I disagree.

    I haven't come up with a good way to wire my 3-way stub switch, nor have I run across anyone with a good and inexpensive solution (there is probably something with relays).

    The big problem with a 3-way stub is that there's only one switch while a 3-way switch point turnout has two switches (effectively, they are just two normal switches in rapid succession that partially overlap...the third frog).

    My 3-way is no where near as pretty as Wolfgang's, but that's because I'm no where near as good at building turnouts as he is! :tb-biggrin:

    [​IMG]

    My conventional 2-way stub switch is a bit prettier. Since the siding is currently out of service, I've temporarily replaced the throwbar with rail joiners:
    [​IMG]

    Michael
     
  6. Wolfgang Dudler

    Wolfgang Dudler Passed away August 25, 2012 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    You can use a servo for moving the point. A servo has three positions. A friend has helped me with this for my train order signal at Diamond Valley. Trouble free is power via a hex frog juicer. This way you don't have to care for the correct power.

    Wolfgang
     
  7. DSP&P fan

    DSP&P fan TrainBoard Member

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    Wolfgang, I believe you highlighted just about the best solution with your link.

    While not the cheapest thing in the world ($69 to power two 3-way stub switches), it is far more reliable than the cheapest solution I came up with...a rotary switch which would have to be turned separate from throwing the switch (just asking for trouble!).

    I'll check into servos...

    Regardless, I won't have to worry about any of these on my grand Oahu Railway layout, and I'll keep them to a minimum at my Gunnison yard on my upper deck South Park. I'll likely have some 3-ways in my grand Iwilei/Honolulu Yards, but the OR&L only had point switches by that point.

    Michael
     

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