Two turnouts or double slip

PK Feb 7, 2016

  1. PK

    PK TrainBoard Member

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    I'm looking for opinions on a track configuration. I have a location where I need two right handed turnouts located throwbar to throwbar. One is a #4 and one a #6. Due to other considerations, there's only room for 2 or 3 ties between throwbars. Normal operation would have trains passing through both diverging routes. I'm concerned this may be a problematic s-curve and am debating replacing the 2 turnouts with a double slip switch, but I've heard many questions regarding the reliability of double slips and complexity / confusion for operators. This is a tight industrial area that will be switched with 4-axle diesels at low speeds. What would you recommend, two closely spaced turnouts or a double slip?
     
  2. cajon

    cajon TrainBoard Member

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    Slip switches are usually only used in complex track locations like at passenger terminals & not for general switching situations. Would two #5s lessen the S curve situation?
     
  3. PK

    PK TrainBoard Member

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    I've heard that too. A pair of #5's would probably even out and be just as close as the 4/6 combo. I can try it & see if not having a #4 is any better. I already mocked it up with two #4's and that only gives me an extra 3/4" between turnouts. The #4's do seem to work in my test with an MP-15 and truck mounted couplers.
     
  4. wcfn100

    wcfn100 TrainBoard Member

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    Paul, if you're going to have back to back turnout points (and can't have a car length space between), you actually want them as close together as possible.


    Jason
     
  5. cajon

    cajon TrainBoard Member

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    Your 4 axle should have no problems going thru #4 switches. Tested a couple on my HO 4 axles + 40' boxcar around 1/4 circle of 10"R w/ no problems either direction.
     
  6. traingeekboy

    traingeekboy TrainBoard Member

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    I would be tempted to redo the mains so they are straight and use two switches of the opposite type. It seems really odd to have a mainline S. They happen, but not often.
     
  7. PK

    PK TrainBoard Member

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    Geeky, the S isn't a main, it's strictly sidings. You do have a good point, though and I'll definitely go back and see if I can't simplify the s-curve out. If I keep the current configuration, I'll stay with 2 turnouts over a double slip. Thanks for the replies.
     
  8. montanan

    montanan TrainBoard Member

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    I had to resort to using a double slip switch in a yard area due to available space. I used a #6 Shinohara double slip as my layout is all code 70 and haven't had any problems at all with it.
     
    acptulsa likes this.
  9. acptulsa

    acptulsa TrainBoard Member

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    I do HO, but haven't had any trouble with the double slip either. I went with mine both to save space and to eliminate an S-curve. Operationally, they really aren't such a problem. The facing points determine which way the train goes and the trailing points determine if it derails on the way out. Just like a pair of switches.

    Mine has no toggles on the control panel at all. It sits in a track between two others, and all three go through, so there's a switch on both sides of the double slip. I wired the appropriate sets of points in with the switches that cross over to the double slip. When the switches on the parallel tracks are set to run straight, the double slip runs straight. When those other two switches are both set to cross over, the double slip is set to allow trains to cross over that middle track. When one of the outside switches is set to run straight, and the other to cross over, trains on the middle track cross over to the track set to receive them. Get it wired right, and there are no more complications. This involves wiring the control motor for each set of points together with the switch farthest away from them. And, of course, setting the switch on each parallel track to straight running whenever you aren't actively crossing over to the double slip from that track.

    I say eliminate the S-curve.
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2016

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