I am modeling an 11 track ladder yard and am wondering what track spacing is best. I have heard of the "five finger" rule, but I'm more interested in getting it as close to prototypical as practical. I also do not know how to judge which size switches to use in the ladder. Track 6 is a straight through with 1 - 5 to the right and 7 - 11 to the left. [/url][/IMG] This is a view of the south end of the yard http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=pnk4bm7zb31h&style=o&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=23285639&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1 This is the north end http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=pnkqg97zbg5s&style=o&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=23285781&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1
Prototype Mainline track spacing is right about 1" in N scale, and IIRC, yard tracks are spaced a bit closer than that. You'd be hard pressed to find a manufactured turnout that will give you that spacing without modifying one. The Atlas Code 55 #5's could be modified by cutting some track off the long leg. As to what size switches to use, what size rolling stock are you running and how much room do you want taken up by the yard ladder? 89' autoracks and TOFC's don't like those small switches thou they will run over them. And the smaller the frog number, the more yard track you will have. -Mike
Note it depends a lot too on what sort of yard you're modeling. For instance many hump yards I've seen seem to go: wide space; track; narrow space; track; wide space; track; narrow space; track; wide space.... I think there are several reasons, from how the switches lay out (the prototype doesn't use "all left" or "all right" like we do usually, preferring to switch off a short lead, then split that into 2-4 tracks, which takes space); but also so you can drive an inspection truck, or have a man jump out of the way to safety if necessary. So you walk/drive on the wide spaces and nothing goes in the narrow spaces. Anywhere a man needs to inspect a train, connect airlines, etc you're going to see a bit more space, at least in modern times.
I’m judging by your name that your modeling N scale and I just wanted to point out that the Atlas #5 turnouts are designed for 1 ¼ “ spacing which becomes apparent when you start building a yard. If you are prototyping, 1” looks pretty good but you’ll have to modify the switches. I’m freelancing my yard, so I started out with 1 ¼ because of the switches and then made a 90deg bend down to 1” spacing.
Track Spacing The yard tracks on my home layout(HO)are on cork roadbed that butts up against the next one. Woodland Scenics ballast was added over the yard. The tracks are on 2 inch centres.
Right, and the modifications are pretty simple. You have an extra 1 1/2" on the points end of the stock rails before you've reached the throw bar. Atlas Code 55 #5 Left Just snip a tad off of those ladder turnouts (not sure exactly how much), and you'll have closer tracks.
If you put two #7 together as a crossover the spacing is the same as # 5. If you connect a #7 right and a #7 left in line as in a ladder you get a little less than 1” on two of the legs, but the angle of the last straight leg is not a standard angle so you have to definitely make you own angle out of flex. I use a standard half radius just to get it pointing in the right direction. I haven’t tried it, but I’m sure someone has gotten flex to bend that tight. I'm not sure what the spacing on that leg would be. Update! Ok, I just tried to get 1” spacing with #7s and found that it is possible, it just takes up more space. I new I just went through this a couple of months ago, but I couldn’t remember why I didn’t use #7s. It was the real-estate that held me back.
Real estate is not a big problem, I have 18' of wall to play with. I think I'll try all your suggestions on a dry run and see how it works out.
Getting as close to the prototype as is "practical", can be defined in many different ways: what seems "practical" to me may seem highly impractical and inconvenient to you...and vice versa. 1. If you are looking for convenience and reliability while operators shuffle cars from track to track in the yard and constantly couple/uncouple cars with hand pics, you may want a little more finger space between the cars (1.25 or even 1.5 instead of 1.0) so fewer cars get bumped or even derailed. 2. If you want the convenience of ready-built turnouts that need no modification, then it would be practical to install standard turnouts that yield the spacing that is closest to what you want. 3. If you are highly motivated to match the prototype spacings, then it would be reasonable/practical to modify turnouts as needed or to hand-lay your turnouts so you can achieve the match to the prototype that you want. In the end, it's your layout. The "best" choice made with today's skillsets, current finances, presently existing body of knowledge of the prototype, etc, may not be the same choice you will make in the future when skillsets, finances, knowledge, etc have change.
