Sweet Jebus! I just about fainted when I saw this! I need one...no I want one... I don't know what for but dang it I can see endless possibilities with a fixture such as this one!

http://www.handlaidtrack.com/HO-6-Double...6-me83.htm



Let's count what could be built with one fixture...

1) Single Turnout
2) Single Cross Over
3) Double Cross Over
4) Single Slip
5) Double Slip
6) Single Slip Over
7) Crossing
8) Then the whole schebang!

Drools.... hock:

You need at least 4 of that very combination to model Toronto Union west end.

[attachment=6328]

You know, that could be a heckuva project. How many Torti would that need?

And yeah, I want one....real baaaaddd.

Crandell

Count the throw bars and you need eight. Unless you can figure out a way to pair some of the throw bars up for route selection. I can also imagine that wiring this up would be a real challenge due to the loco traveling over the many different frog points. Especially in DC as I got a hint of what it would take to wire up a double x-over in DC a couple years ago. However, in DCC its nothing a Hex Frog Juicer couldn't help with. HFJ's would make wiring this a snap. Although you'd need two, without looking at the instructions, I count 10-12 frog isolation areas. hock:

No doubt about it. This would be one beast of track work on anyone's layout.

I have got a single slipover (brass, Atlas) that I have yet to figure out. I'd have to spend the rest of my life trying to figure out a double. I guess there are places to use them, but I sure don't need something like that. Life is complicated enough without something like this.

Lynn

Holy cow. And I thought my dual-gauge turnouts were complicated enough!

I am not sure why, but it reminds me of that "narrowing" section of slot car track I played with when I was a kid... Definitely want only one engine at a time approaching that thing in case of a mis-aligned route...!

Andrew

It's big. But its not really that complicated. At least on the surface. It's four # 6 double slips tacked on to each other with a 19 degree crossing in the middle. Build up the five individual pieces and then overlap the joints at "critical" locations using PCB ties to strengthen the build. Its a monster that would definitely gobble up several feet of rail and would take a few dedicated days if not at minimum a couple weeks to complete it depending on the skill of the builder. Not a task for beginners that for sure. I'm fairly confident I could build it. (Yeah I said it!) In fact I'd be willing to try it without the jig on a paper template if I seriously had use for one. But I don't...

Maybe, one day, when I win the lottery or a long lost Uncle leave me his Estate giving me the funds required to model a modern era Toronto Union Station.

Unfortunately, I'm not rich and already have too much to finish up on my own layout to even think about something as ridiculous as this just for kicks.





I really have to stop looking at it..... hock:

yellowlynn Wrote:I have got a single slipover (brass, Atlas) that I have yet to figure out. I'd have to spend the rest of my life trying to figure out a double. I guess there are places to use them, but I sure don't need something like that. Life is complicated enough without something like this.

Lynn

Lynn,
Your photo is a double slip. A train coming into this switch from any approach can take either exit out of the switch. A single slip would have 2 approaches that can only go straight through.

Puddlejumper Wrote:

yellowlynn Wrote:I have got a single slipover (brass, Atlas) that I have yet to figure out. I'd have to spend the rest of my life trying to figure out a double. I guess there are places to use them, but I sure don't need something like that. Life is complicated enough without something like this.

Lynn

Lynn,
Your photo is a double slip. A train coming into this switch from any approach can take either exit out of the switch. A single slip would have 2 approaches that can only go straight through.

I agree. A single would only have one of the two lenticular central rails, the two curves ones in the very center whose tips curve toward each other. Also it would have only the one four-way frog.

Crandell

I guess you people by now realize that I don't even know what I've got, much less able to figure out where or how to use it.

Does anyone out there in ever-ever land have the absolutely PERFECT spot where it would go and nothing else at all in this whole wide world would fit into? :?:

Lynn

Lynn:
I have a unit much like yours which is a Fleischmann double slip from the 60s. Mine is now gummed up and no longer works. The Atlas looks the same except for the metal frogs.
These units have a different mechanism than prototype slips. There are two throwbars at each end and they run in opposite directions. So, while other slips can only provide one route at a time (of 4), this one will always provide 2 routes: either both straight across or both around the curve.

If I had a switch like that one and I felt it was gummed up, I think I'd try spraying it with a penetrant like WD-40 and letting it sit for just a few minutes, maybe five, and then I'd try the throwbars. It may only need to have organic crud thinned. After it seemed to be freed, I would then rinse it thoroughly in warm water and soap. In fact, you might consider trying TSP in fairly hot water, and swish it around every 15 or thirty seconds, trying the throwbars every minute or so. Sudsy ammonia might do the trick, too.

Crandell

It is very nice indeed, but I hate to think what that thing should cost (oh looking at it now, it costs 200 bucks...). Looking at a simple curved turnout kit from the same website , they charge over 200 bucks for that too, no way!! <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.handlaidtrack.com/HO-6-Curved-Turnout-Track-Kits-for-Code-83-Rail-s/787.htm">http://www.handlaidtrack.com/HO-6-Curve ... -s/787.htm</a><!-- m -->
That is waaaaaayyyy to much money to spend on a turnout. I could easily just get a couple of lengths of flex rail and steel the rail from that, buy me a bag of wooden ties and spikes, a photocopied turnout plan, a few jigs (home made), an NMRA gauge, some basic tooling like nippers and a few files, and lots of patience, and build the whole thing for the same amount as a factory turnout would cost me (several for that matter), having the fun of making it myself, on real wooden ties, etc... If I want to push the boat out, then get a superdetail kit from the proto87 store, but that would be it, 200 bucks or more? They are seriously joking right? Model railroading IS fun, but with these prices I can't see the fun anymore.... :-)

I guess it's not for me, not this way anyway....

@David
Those old Fleischmann turnouts are prone to become sticky because of some shrinking of the plastic ties.
The Pertinax "tie" joint which actuates the points come very very close to the next plastic tie or even touches it.
There is then heavy friction between the joint and the ties.
Look to your turnout if it is the case.

With a sharp knive you can cut material from the tie und make it a little bit smaller. Until there is no touching and no friction any more.

Greetings Lutz