Ives track

I am no expert on Ives, but my limited knowledge of it is that the center rails that are supported by the posts similar to those on your crossover are found on early 2 rail wind-up track that was converted to 3 rail track.  Therefore, I suspect your item is an early wind-up piece that was converted for 3 rail operation.  This is further evident by the fact that the actual crossover center does not have a provision for the center rail.  

I suspect this design did not work well, as the engine would lose power while on the center of the crossover.  Therefore, it was likely a very short-lived item.

NWL

@Nation Wide Lines posted:

I am no expert on Ives, but my limited knowledge of it is that the center rails that are supported by the posts similar to those on your crossover are found on early 2 rail wind-up track that was converted to 3 rail track.  Therefore, I suspect your item is an early wind-up piece that was converted for 3 rail operation.  This is further evident by the fact that the actual crossover center does not have a provision for the center rail.  

I suspect this design did not work well, as the engine would lose power while on the center of the crossover.  Therefore, it was likely a very short-lived item.

NWL

I do recall that when I searched for the Cross-track on the Ives train society I came across a picture of some three rail track laying atop a 101-1-3 bridge. When I enhanced the image I found that the track had a different design of middle rail insulator. Here’s the picture:

This supports your theory about the early Ives clockwork to electric track. It brings up the question about when Ives decided to change its track design, seems to be that it happened early in the 3-rail electric systems life. 

                                                   Trainfam 

If you go to the Ives Society website, and look at o gauge, accessories, miscellaneous, then track and scroll down the page, there is a picture of a switch that is c. 1912 and it lists it as being one of the earliest 3 rail switches.  It has center rail supports like your crossover.  

Additionally, the last two photos in this category have similar center rail supports.  

NWL

@Nation Wide Lines posted:

If you go to the Ives Society website, and look at o gauge, accessories, miscellaneous, then track and scroll down the page, there is a picture of a switch that is c. 1912 and it lists it as being one of the earliest 3 rail switches.  It has center rail supports like your crossover.  

Additionally, the last two photos in this category have similar center rail supports.  

NWL

Well that seems to give me a good idea for when my track was made (1912), so do you believe it was in a set or was just a separate sale? 

                                                 Trainfam

I honestly don't know enough about Ives to answer that.  You could try looking through the 1912 and 1913 catalogs on the Ives Society website to see if there is any info.

NWL

Thank you for the help NWL,

I will look around some more, this is why I need more catalogs haha. Hopefully I will find something.

                                                  Trainfam 

You could try this site for learning about different tracks.  https://railwaypages.com/track-identification

Chris

@Old_standard-gauge posted:

You could try this site for learning about different tracks.  https://railwaypages.com/track-identification

Chris

Wow that's a fantastic resource although I do see some small discrepancies in the track pin descriptions. 

Thanks for sharing.