[cfra7]

Hi,

I'm building a storage yard for my trains.  I have some trains that require a minimum of 8' diameter.  How far apart do I need to put the switches?  Can I just put a switch, followed by a curve that makes the track parallel to the pervious track, then another switch or is more space between switches required?

 

[toddalin]

You can put the LGB 1600-series (~8 foot diameter) turnouts as close as back-to-back.  This will put your center-to-center track spacing at ~7-3/4".

 

[CCSII]

toddalin, you have a short, double S curve involving those two switches featured in the photo, doyou have derailment problems moving through them?

 

[toddalin]

Posted By CCSII on 02/19/2008 8:10 PM
toddalin, you have a short, double S curve involving those two switches featured in the photo, doyou have derailment problems moving through them?

So long as the points are thrown all the way, not typically.  This trackwork is all extremely level and is mounted on treated wood covered with roofing paper and ballast.  You really DON'T want to PUSH heavyweights through them.  That's a sure derailment at any kind of speed.  But we have a lot going on in an area of just about 1,200 square feet, so there are sacrafices.  Such is life.

But that wasn't the original question now was it?

 

[Dr Rivet]

General Rule of thumb (especially if you have body mounted couplers) is to have a tangent (straight) track as long as your longest car or engine in between curves that change direction. This means S curves, crossovers and between two switches with points (the moving part) back to back. If you have couplers mounted to the trucks (Talgo) this is not as important, but a straight piece 1/4 to 1/3 the length of your cars will improve things a lot unless you are a slow runner.

Cheers

Jim

 

[aceinspp]

If your building latter tracks then you can put them back to back.  If doing somthing else then you will need tangents in between.  Later RJD

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Like RJ said, if you build a proper ladder, you will not get S curves. The pictures I shared with you on my site show a ladder track with no S curves. The switches are all Aristo WR switches, back to back, as dense as you can get it.

Regards, Greg