Crazy Talk!

[tetters]

I need some help. Either to stop me from doing something incredibly nuts or kick me in the backside and say, "DO IT!"

So I have this double slip. I've been looking at my trackwork and after my last mod I want to change the location where my caboose track is. I know it seems really silly that I'm having these thoughts, especially because I'm handlaying...however...I'd rather make the changes now while I'm still doing the trackwork, then after I move on to other projects and it becomes harder.

So here is the photo...with the double slip "in place".

So at the bottom. A single stub track would extend down and right along the edge of where my bench is. I may park my locos there while I work just to look at them. LOL.

The top track of the slip on the right connects to one of the yard tracks with some mods. The top left track would extend up to where that existing t.o. is located...which would be removed if I do this. Essentially, I end up with another yard track and a stub to park my caboose. The outer track would be a run around.

So I need some opinions. Should I do this? Testing of the slip is promising. It is nearly perfect in terms of gauge. Sounds like I'm trying to convince myself doesn't it? LOL.

Anywho...I may or may not do this. Help me decide.

 

[Nomad]

Sounds like a good idea to me. The stub track could be for loco repair and programming track. And I have heard that caboose tracks should be double ended.

Loren

 

[scubadude]

DOO-IT...DOO-IT...DOO-IT :twisted:

 

[steamhead]

Hi...There's no way that if I had a DSS in my hands I wouldn't use it...!!! NO WAY..!!

 

[tetters]

So went back in and looked at it some more. Moved it around to see if I could line it up better. Then I came up a truely diabolical idea!

See what I came up with there? A # 6 DSS merged with a # 5 t.o. Sick! I love it. MUAAHAHAHAAA!!!

 

[green_elite_cab]

I think you'd better just get it done with. If you don't do it now, it will be a pain later if you really need it.

 

[Squidbait]

You're mad! MAD, I tells ya! MAD!!!

Go for it. I think you're nuts, but if you can pull it off, it'd be tres cool!

 

[doctorwayne]

Well, it seems like an awfully complicated bit of trackwork to install for a siding, but you seem pretty determined to go ahead, so do it. :-D On the other hand, you'd probably be able to use it a lot more if it was out on the mainline somewhere. :-D:-D

Wayne

 

[Kanawha]

Why not? Go for it!

 

[tetters]

Well, it seems like an awfully complicated bit of trackwork to install for a siding, but you seem pretty determined to go ahead, so do it. :-D On the other hand, you'd probably be able to use it a lot more if it was out on the mainline somewhere. :-D:-D

Wayne

I know...that's probably the only thing keeping me from doing it. It just seems kinda silly and just an excuse to throw it in there for the heck of it. That said, I'm kind of inspired by the work Tim Warris is doing on his CNJ Bronx Terminal lately. The trackwork on that is soooo complicated its not even funny. I think it also just goes to show that even in the prototype world...track designers/engineers did some crazy things to get the most trackwork into the real-estate that they had.

I'd use it on the mainline ...that is, if I had one! :grin:

I'm printing off the # 5 template as I type this. sign1

 

[puddlejumper]

I'm saying go for it. Sounds like you already decided that anyway.:thumb:

I can't imagine a prototype railroad ever using such a complicated/expensive peice of trackwork for a spur or cabin track, but you don't have any other place for it and it would be such a waste to not use it...

I like your last idea to merge it with the #5 turnout.

Dave

 

[tetters]

I'm saying go for it. Sounds like you already decided that anyway.:thumb:

I can't imagine a prototype railroad ever using such a complicated/expensive peice of trackwork for a spur or cabin track, but you don't have any other place for it and it would be such a waste to not use it...

I like your last idea to merge it with the #5 turnout.

Dave

My RR purchased it off eBay. They got a great deal on it.

Thanks...I'll be sure to post pics. I intend to tackle the trackwork end of it tonight. Then move on to the demolition stage of things. hamr

 

[tetters]

In case anyone hasn't noticed...I went off the deep end as of last night.

http://forum.zealot.com/t115665-10/

 

[EsPeeMEC]

If you had to ask, you were going to do it regardless........If you were unsure you'd not have posed the question, but put the dratted thing in the spares box.

 

[tetters]

If you had to ask, you were going to do it regardless........If you were unsure you'd not have posed the question, but put the dratted thing in the spares box.

So not true. I asked because I honestly wanted to see if someone was going to or could give me valid reasons to not proceed with this project. Since almost everybody piped in "DO IT!" I figured, "fine, what the heck?"

There are many people on this board based on what I've seen, read and learned from them who have experience and skill to far surpass my own. I would greatly value their opinions regardless of which direction it took me in. Up until I completed this last night I was still questioning my motivation for it and whether or not I was going to go ahead with this idea. I still have some finishing touches to make the completed trackwork reliable and fully operational. Until I am satisfied with the finished product, no changes will be made to my current layout. Even after a couple hours invested in this project, if someone still pipes up and gives me reasons to pause, I may very well do so. I am fully aware of the associated risks of using a double slip and the un-reliablity they can pose to model RR operations. And yes, even the opinions of those who stated that its not very realistic prototypically speaking in terms of how I'm "planning" to use it, still stick with me as I proceed.

Like I've noted before, a person once said to me with regards to another passion of mine, Cycling; "Consider it tuition towards your "education", for every part you break, every unsucessful attempt, and every failure you make." Sounds like rhetorical nonsense, however it rings true for so many things in this life.

If you have a reason as to why I should stop, I'd honestly like to hear it.

 

[ed acosta]

Tetters, I like your 'can do' attitude. Tell me about the double slip. It appears to be a kit that has the rails soldered to a copper clad tie? Do you spike it down on wooden ties and then unsolder the copper strips, or do you leave the copper strips and cut a swath in the copper to keep the rails from shorting?

Tell me about your biking! I love road biking and mountain biking. For me, model railroading is an evening sport or even a rainy day sport. When the sun is out I'd rather be flying on my Colnago!
-Ed

 

[tetters]

Hi ed!

The double slip was actually free hand laid down on a printout offered for free on the FastTracks website. You can download that template and many others here...Fast Tracks | HO

The shaping of the rails was done by following the specs they also specify of a completed turnout in terms of the diverging angles of the frog points and secondary frog points. Located on the same page as the assembly fixture offered for purchase here...Fast Tracks | HO, #6, Slip Switch Assembly Fixture for Micro Engineering 83 Rail

I used Micro Engineering Code 83 rail and copper clad curcuit board ties. As the material for the assembly. I did a half fast tutorial on the contruction techniques when I built a double x-over free hand here...http://forum.zealot.com/t155457/

Essentially, I would sand or file the frog points to the angles required and lay them down on the paper template. Using a fairly good weight to hold them in place. Then using some .20 solder and my 40w iron I'd solder the points together to get the frog. Then essentially, I'd take my time and start lining up the ties and the frogs on the paper templete and solder a few joints at a time while checking my accuracy with an NMRA track gauge and by eyeballing the rails and ties with the lines on the template. I know it may sounds easy and over simplified but it was anything but. I took a long time to build that double x-over...about four days at four hours a night.

The key was patience! Lots and lots of patience. However, once its built, whether it be a t.o. or complicated piece, there is a great deal of pride in watching those test trucks roll through like they are on a sheet a glass. Better still once it is all wired up and installed, watching my trains push a string of cars along whithout issue.

As for my cycling...I own a Kona Road bike which I pimped out a couple years ago which I love going on 5 hour rides with, and a Cannondale Prophet with a Lefty MAX which I love bombing down some sweet single track... Two wheels, one love my friend! :thumb:

 

[tetters]

I've seen his method. Let me know how it works out for you.

 

[Kevinkrey]

The votes seem to be going in the YES direction, I haven't read all the posts, but I think it looks pretty awesome, and well built, if it fits into the layout, DEFINATELY go for it if you want.
​

 

[nkp174]

Maybe a little late, but if you have any concerns about derailments....it is really close to the edge of your layout...

I did vote yes