Turnouts on Inclines/Declines?

Personally, I wouldn’t.  I suppose it would work if all of the tracks connected to it were at the same 2% grade (minimally for one car length) but, keep in mind that the diverging track will be at a 2% angle side to side.  For fun you could label it “suicide switch”.

As long as the track is laid properly I don't see a problem with it. I've done it and so have the real railroads. 

I have that, a crossover 2.2%, works perfect. as mentioned the entire track as to be the same grade above and below the turnout. 

Make sure the grade consistent at 2% from start to finish. You don't want any vertical curves. 

Thanks everyone! Will give it a shot!

I do this in a few areas.  I use MTH Scaletrax and do not have a problem.  On this sample attached, I have an O-72 turnout.  After the turnout, the main starts a 2% down grade and the siding starts a 2% up grade.  By having one go up and one go down I needed less of a run to get the clearance needed for one track to cross over the over.

I had one issue with this track turnout only.  I do not know if the problem is the switch, the grade or the train.  Some freight cars wheels momentarily touched the center rail on the switch creating a spark.  Not the top of the rail but the side of it.  I painted some liquid electrical tape on the side of the center rail and the problem went away.

Have Fun!

Ron

One way to do it with rigid O gauge track would be to level the initial 2% grade (just ahead of the turnout), install the turnout (level), then resume the 2% grade on the straight (and curved?) path after the turnout.

MELGAR

The big thing to remember with a turnout is that all connecting ends of the turnout itself, plus some cushioning distance (varies depending on circumstances), need to be in the same plane. If there's any twisting of the turnout or immediately adjacent track there will be problems because most of our equipment is fairly rigid-framed. Prototype railroads have turnouts on inclines all over the place.

Elevating pre-made turnouts is a pain. Avoid if possible unless you can make the pre-made turnout fairly flat coming in and going out.  As stated none of the engines that are made by either Lionel or MTH or Atlas track flexibly on track.

Also if you must raise a turnout do it with a large radius turnout to ease the engines into the turnout.

Ron045 posted:

I do this in a few areas.  I use MTH Scaletrax and do not have a problem.  On this sample attached, I have an O-72 turnout.  After the turnout, the main starts a 2% down grade and the siding starts a 2% up grade.  By having one go up and one go down I needed less of a run to get the clearance needed for one track to cross over the over.

I had one issue with this track turnout only.  I do not know if the problem is the switch, the grade or the train.  Some freight cars wheels momentarily touched the center rail on the switch creating a spark.  Not the top of the rail but the side of it.  I painted some liquid electrical tape on the side of the center rail and the problem went away.

Have Fun!

Ron

I know it's a turnout thread but you hit it out the of the park with that bridge.  Wished I had a nickel for every time there's layout with a multi track  bridge with the plate girders only on the outside.  

I've done it with turnouts both coming and going.  I use Ross turnouts.  I have an 8% grade max that I ease to maybe 2% at the turnout.  Works great !!

I tried it with Fastrack and had the problem that Dan noted - the track was not level side to side.  Other switches  may differ.