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 Posted - April 19 2022 : 1:23:50 PM
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Still experimenting with 15" radius, max car length 40', and small wheelbase locomotives.
I installed a vintage Atlas/Roco double-slip switch on the level at the top of a 3% grade. A train coming up the slope right-to-left passing straight through encounters a right-handed curve constructed from a PECO small radius curved switch (probably a little less than 18" radius).
An Athearn GP 9 with 5 Mantua/TYCO cars has no problem coming up this grade and through the switch. I like to run long trains so I put 3 Athearn GP9s in front of 21 Mantua/TYCO cars. There are no problems encountered at this switch going left-to-right then down the grade. It takes a lot of tractive effort to pull that string of cars up a 3% grade. No problem when taking the curved route. But straight through the double-slip, even at a slow speed, the first car always derails.
I checked wheels and track against my NMRA gauge and all are good. The straight through route within the double-slip has a rail gap in the very center. When the switch is set for curve then a guard rail keeps wheels on track; but straight through is unprotected. Ah Ha! It is butt swing from the locomotive encouraging the first car to go left as the locomotive goes right.
Solved this problem by adding 3" of straight track leading out of the switch. 
Edited by - offtrackthoroughbred on April 19 2022 1:43:41 PM
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Posted - April 19 2022 : 2:45:51 PM
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Great save! I've never seen that double slip before. Looks like a great
interchange going on.
TBH, I've been flummoxed by the smallest of variations using sectional
track, and recently abandoned all of it to use Bachmann EZ track, which
tends to iron out my inaccuracies.
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Posted - April 19 2022 : 7:03:47 PM
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That would be a #4 double slip. It wasn't as common as the #6 double slip.
Honestly, Atlas should bring these slip switches back, along with the 18/22 curved switches. They solve alot of space related problems.
Fortunately I have jigs for the 18/24 curved switch so I can build my own. I'm not brave enough to build my own slip switches.
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Posted - April 19 2022 : 7:24:35 PM
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| I fear if I tried to make my own track it would be total hash. Kuddos to you!
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