ATLAS O Double Crossover

Very nice job.

What is the center to center distance between the parallel tracks?

Which pieces did you have to cut/modify?

Any progress pictures?

Should have mentioned that.

Center to center is 4.5"

All pieces needed to be cut/modified. I don't know why the pic appears vertical here on the forum but you can see a few left over parts like ties and track rails.

No follow ups yet. I have to do the wiring next.

Achim Eilers

Your double crossover looks great. I get the same results only a different way. I use two sets of Atlas' 7.5 high speed switches. My center to center is 4 1/2 inches. Paul

pholsen,

Did you use a standard atlaso crossing? Or did you have to fabricate a special one?

Neither. I used two right hand back to back and two left hand back to back. I believe I had seen it in some Atlas reading material. They also had said that the reason their curve radii  is what they are was so that they would have concentric circles with a 4 1/2" spacing. Paul

pholsen,

do you have a pic?

I don't understand how you get a double crossover with two sets of back to backs.

Achim Eilers.

Hi ctr, I should have said that there were some straight track between each set of back to back switches. If you draw two parallel lines, put a diagonal line between them and then a little lower from the diagonal line put a reverse diagonal line between the straights and you will see what I did. Paul

Hi Achim, Please look at my last post above. Maybe it's not officially a double crossover, but I believe it does the same thing. Once you draw the lines like I said, please let me know if it does the same thing as yours. I'm starting to have my doubts. Paul 

Without a picture... and if I'm understanding you correctly, it sounds like you have two SINGLE crossovers adjacent to each other.  Functionally, it does the same thing as a double crossover, but requires more linear real estate.  Given the frog angle of the Atlas 7.5 turnout, I don't think you'd be able to make a double crossover without fabricating a special crossover section of track.

The double crossover pictured above in the OP's post looks very nice indeed.  Super job!

David

Here are some pictures. Again, I don't think it would be called a double crossover but I believe it does the same thing. Please let me know. Paul

Hi Rocky,
As I originally said, I get the same results only in a different way. I didn't call it a double crossover. I guess I didn't know what mine was called but I know I can get from the outside track to the inside track. Thanks for letting me know what it is called. Paul

Thanks for the kind words everybody.

pholsen,

that is exactly what I originally had, what bothered with that were two things:

first as David said it uses a lot more linear space.

second when I run a train continiously from the outer loop through the inner loop I

always had to change the switches with this true double crossover no more.

Achim Eilers.

Outstanding work!

This looks great, you have done a super job.

Achim:

Great work.

Achim, I agree with you on both points. When you had yours like mine, were you using the #5 switches? Did you consider the 7.5's? your really looks very clean. I wouldn't mind doing that myself but as you can see by my photo's I have too much time invested in the current layout plus if the 7.5's don't work with a 4 1/2' spacing, I would need four more switches. Too much money! Paul

Paul, yes I always had the #5 switches. They are 11.25` which works perfectly with the 22.5` crossing.

The #7.5 switches that you have are 7.5` which would require a 15`crossing that is not available as far as I know.

Achim Eilers.

Thanks Achim, Again, yours is very clean looking. The length of mine didn't bother me because I had ample room for it. The actual throwing of the switches is a different story.

That is some very nice craftsmanship, show us a picture after you install it.

Great Job!