Double Crossover

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Dmitri - 13 Jun 2004 08:56 GMT

I'm interested in building a double crossover from Atlas Code 83 four
#6 super-switches (#505) and one 19 grad. diamond (#572). From the 3rd
PlanIt database I have found that the turnouts have 9.527 grad. frog,
which gives you 19.52 grad. angle between crossing paths. I wonder if
this mismatch is an obstacle for normal operation ? Are there other
ways in building a double crossover from sectional components ?

PS. I know about Walters Code 83 double crossover but I doubt I could
use it for that thing is someway "short" for my 80+ ft cars to pass it
smoothly. Well I know that Walters uses the same #6 turnouts that the
Atlas #6 I mentioned above but I realy keep ROCO #8 switches in mind
(they have the same frog angle I beleive).

Thanks !

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Trainman - 13 Jun 2004 15:11 GMT

> I'm interested in building a double crossover from Atlas Code 83 four
> #6 super-switches (#505) and one 19 grad. diamond (#572). From the 3rd
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Thanks !

I seriously doubt that a half degree difference in the angle will cause
problems.

At the worst, align the crossover first, then take up the difference in the
approach tracks. I doubt the very light curve will be even noticeable.

Don

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Bob May - 13 Jun 2004 17:40 GMT

A #6 turnout is a #6 turnout and a #8 is a #8 and they aren't the same angle
no matter how long that they may be. The number is the angle of the frog
described as the number of units that you have to go down a frog angle to
equal 1 unit between the gauge lines. That 1 unit is measured across the
gauge lines so that a perpendicular to the 1 unit measurement goes through
the vertex of the frog angle - in other words, the 1 unit measurement isn't
perpendicular to either of the gauge lines but is midway between. This
measurement produces the longest distance for the long distance.

--
Bob May
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Mark Mathu - 13 Jun 2004 18:59 GMT

> I'm interested in building a double crossover from Atlas Code 83 four
> #6 super-switches (#505) and one 19 grad. diamond (#572). From the 3rd
> PlanIt database I have found that the turnouts have 9.527 grad. frog,
> which gives you 19.52 grad. angle between crossing paths. I wonder if
> this mismatch is an obstacle for normal operation ?

A 0.5 grad. difference in angles won't be a problem. The reason Atlas has
a 19° crossing in their catalog is to work with the #6 switches. As a matter
of fact, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if the turnout is actually
manufacturered to exactlt match the angles of the #6 turnouts and is just
labeled as 19° for simplicity.

[One question, however... how did you measure the 9.527 grad. angle? For a
#6 turnout, the frog angle should be tan-¹(1/6) = 9.46° = 10.51 grad.]

Signature

Mark
The Green Bay Route: http://www.greenbayroute.com/
"I started out with nothing and I still have most of it."

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Keith Norgrove - 13 Jun 2004 21:47 GMT

>[One question, however... how did you measure the 9.527 grad. angle? For a
>#6 turnout, the frog angle should be tan-¹(1/6) = 9.46° = 10.51 grad.]

Not so, the standard formula as Bob already mentioned is 2*tan-¹(1/12)
= 9degrees 31min and 38sec.
Keith
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Model Forum / General / Railroads / June 2004

Double Crossover