Any issues with creating a double crossover with Atlas #10s and 11.25° crossing

[Upstate Gator]

I'm considering trimming the legs of the crossing  (and possibly the turnouts) to reduce the spacing between the parallel tracks. Are there any issues to be aware of?

[mmagliaro]

I don't know about making a whole crossover with turnouts, but I have used the 11.25 degree crossing with its legs cut shorter to get it to fit into a layout location.  It caused a lot of problems.  Even with very accurately gauged wheelsets, I found the flangeways and other tolerances a little too loosey goosey, so a wheelset could manage to pick the frog of the crossing.   It was on a curve, and the shortened crossing legs exacerbated the problem because cars would not be all straightened out before they rolled through that intersection.  I think it would work better if there were 6" of straight track before and after the crossing.

This was about 5 years ago now, but I remember thinking I would never use the 11.25 again because of this.
You may have to add some really thin shims here and there to tighten up the tolerances.

Mechanically, it was fine.  I cut the legs really short and it didn't fall apart or break or anything like that.
Just tolerance issues.

[narrowminded]

I don't know about performance with switches but I've cut some down to make them narrower when needing a double track crossing in a trolley installation.  If you do decide to do it, what I found helpful was to cut a piece of .020" ABS or Styrene in the general shape and then glue the ties down to the sheet, working on the bench where it's easy to set the alignment, squareness, etc and then drop it in as an assembly.  Just made it easy to work with and keep the alignment.  Hope that helps.

[glakedylan]

the Atlas #10 turnouts are not an exact match for that angle of crossover
it might be helpful to sacrifice the center to center spacing in lieu of
notching out the plastic between ties on crossing to make the legs work
like flex track, in order to get a smooth transition and alignment

it would seem without using single crossovers there is a real challenge to
maintaining the 1.25" center to center spacing that Atlas uses as its
standard for code 55 geometry

sincerely
Gary

[Upstate Gator]

I appreciate the feedback and you all have made good points. I think the idea is more attractive than the execution will be. I'm probably better off just doing two single crossovers.

[Lemosteam]

Bear in mind that this comment is for a single crossover, but I was able to trim the diverging portions on two #10 to achieve a prototypical mainline spacing for the PRR which is under 1".  I seriously doubt you could fit a diamond in there.



@glakedylan , what is the frog angle on those.

[glakedylan]

@Lemosteam
they are actually 5.71 degrees
close to the crossing but not close enough to get good alignment without
changing the legs of the diamond
sincerely
Gary

[glakedylan]

@Lemosteam
did you get the .975" center to center spacing?
thanks
Gary

[C855B]

Murky memory is recalling the 11.25° crossing is designed for #7s.

[glakedylan]

actually the #7 is an 8.17 degree angle
the #5 is a match for the 11.25 degree crossing
with an 11.25 degree angle
go figure
why not make crossings to match the frog angle of your turnouts?
unless something got changed converting from
one measurement system to another.
same goes for their ~30.59375" radius and their ~71" radius curves
the former to be a reversing match for the #5 turnout
and the later being the same for the #7 turnout
they are not the correct length to do what they were designed to do???
sincerely
Gary

[Lemosteam]

@Lemosteam
did you get the .975" center to center spacing?
thanks
Gary

Yes, that this the two drawn lines are spaced at.